In February 2020, Mustafa Akıncı, the President of Northern Cyprus, said on an interview to The Guardian that if the reunification efforts in Cyprus failed then the north Cyprus would grow increasingly dependent on Turkey and could end up being swallowed up, as a de facto Turkish province. Adding that the prospect of a Crimea-style annexation would be "horrible." Turkish officials condemned him. Turkey’s vice-president Fuat Oktay said: “I condemn the remarks that target Republic of Turkey which stands with TRNC in all conditions and protect its rights and interests.” Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said that Akıncı does not deserve to be President, adding that many Turkish Cypriots and Turkish soldiers lost their lives (for Cyprus) and that Turkey has no designs on the soil of any country. Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül criticised Akıncı's remarks, which he said hurt the ancestors and martyrs. In addition, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar criticised Akıncı.