Turkey on Friday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for referring to genocide during commemorations of the 1915 mass killings of Armenians during World War I.

The foreign ministry said "we reject and condemn... (Putin's)characterisation of 1915 events as genocide despite all our warnings and calls".

At a ceremony in Armenia, Putin referred to "mass" killings, but also once used the word "genocide" -- which Turkey strongly objects to -- while mentioning that Moscow is party to several international legal initiatives, including a convention against genocide.