Egypt Daily News – Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned any occupation of Syrian lands by Israel, noting that Tel Aviv is the main beneficiary of developments in Syria.
He also denounced any occupation of Syrian lands. Putin said during his annual press conference:
-The primary beneficiary of developments in Syria is Israel
-Russia denounces any occupation of Syrian lands by Israel, and our position is firm in this regard.
-Israel advanced 25 kilometers and entered the fortifications previously established by the Soviet Union in Syria.
-We hope that Israel will withdraw from the areas it occupied, but we see that it is sending more forces and does not seem to have any intention of withdrawing, but rather of expanding its incursion and annexing lands, and this complicates the situation even more.
Putin confirmed that he is in constant contact with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is discussing with him the situation in the Middle East. He said: We are in constant contact with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discussed the situation in the Middle East and the position of the Turkish President, and our position is known and does not depend on changing political circumstances.
-Türkiye is doing everything it can to ensure the security of its southern borders and the return of refugees to Syria, and perhaps keep Kurdish groups away from the border. All of this may be possible and can be implemented.
-The United Nations Charter, which stipulates the right of peoples to self-determination, must be implemented.
-Some European officials previously said that they promised the Kurds an independent state and deceived them. This is a very complex issue.
The Kurds are tough fighters, and the Kurdish issue must be resolved within the framework of the new changes, and Turkey must solve the issues related to its security.
There is no opportunity to discuss all of these issues now, but the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, taking into account the current authority in Syria. We are in contact with all the groups currently controlling the situation in Syria.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, Putin said:
The Palestinian issue can only be resolved by removing its root causes and the two-state solution. The State of Israel has been established, but the State of Palestine has not yet been established.
We condemn Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip at all levels and platforms, including the United Nations.
Putin: Russia evacuated 4,000 Iranian fighters to Tehran via the Hmeimim base
Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that Russia evacuated 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria to Tehran at the request of the Iranian authorities.
Putin said during his annual conference on Thursday: “If our Iranian friends had asked us earlier to help them transfer their forces to the territory of Syria, they have now asked us to withdraw them from there. We have evacuated 4,000 Iranian fighters to Tehran from the Hmeimim base.”
He added: “Some pro-Iranian units left without fighting for Lebanon, and some for Iraq.” Putin described the situation in Syria as difficult, expressing his hope for peace there.
He continued: “We maintain relations with all the groups that control the situation in Syria and all the countries of the region. Most of these countries confirm to us their interest in keeping our military bases in Syria.”
Putin reveals proposals he made regarding Russian military bases in Syria
President Vladimir Putin revealed that most countries in the region are interested in preserving Russian military bases in Syria, stressing that their survival depends on the compatibility of interests with the new Syrian authorities.
He said during his annual press conference today: “We maintain relations with all the groups that control the situation there, and with all the countries of the region. The majority of the regional countries assure us that they are interested in the survival of our military bases in Syria.”
He added that Russia is considering the presence of its bases in Syria or withdrawal, but before that, “we must consider how relations will develop with the political forces that now control and will control the situation in Syria in the future, as our survival will depend on the compatibility of interests with the new authorities there.”
Putin pointed out that there are no Russian ground forces in Syria, but only two air and naval bases, and that Russia proposed using the Hmeimim base and the Tartus base to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria.
He said: “We proposed to our partners, including those in Syria and neighboring countries, to use the Hmeimim air base to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria, and the same applies to the naval base in Tartous.”
Putin stressed that Moscow is counting on peace in Syria and maintaining relations with all parties.
