‘Türkiye is doing its best to ensure its own security in Syria’: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed understanding of Türkiye’s concerns regarding terrorism along its southern border, stating, “Türkiye is doing everything it can to ensure its security in Syria.”

During his annual year-end news conference and call-in show in Moscow on Monday, Putin commented on the situation in Syria. He noted that after Bashar al-Assad’s departure from Syria, he has continuously consulted with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the region’s situation.

‘We are in constant contact with Erdogan’

“We are in constant contact with Mr. Erdogan. Very recently, we evaluated the situation in the Middle East. We are aware of Erdogan’s position in the Middle East, just as our stance is well-known. Türkiye is doing everything possible to secure its own safety in Syria,” he said.

“They are also working towards the return of refugees to their own land, particularly to the territories they control in Syria, and these efforts are realistic,” Putin added.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s regime leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power in Syria since 1963.

‘PKK/YPG terror group issue needs to be seriously addressed’

Addressing Türkiye’s concerns about the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, Putin noted, “Türkiye has had long-standing concerns about the PKK. I hope this will not escalate tensions.”

“This issue needed to be seriously addressed. It wasn’t resolved during Assad’s time, and now it must be resolved with the current Syrian administration. We support the territorial integrity of Syria. It is essential to ensure Syria’s territorial integrity,” he said, adding that Russia maintains dialogue with all armed factions in Syria.

​​​​​​​In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terror organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 victims, including women, children, infants and the elderly.

The YPG is the PKK’s offshoot in Syria, an area where the group has tried to establish a terror corridor threatening Türkiye along its border.

‘Russia condemns all forms of Israeli occupation’

Putin also criticized Israel’s continued occupation of Syrian territories following the fall of Assad regime in Syria.

“The main beneficiary of the developments in Syria has been Israel. You can interpret Israel’s actions as you wish, but Russia condemns all forms of Israeli occupation. Israel has advanced 20-25 kilometers beyond the border in the Golan Heights,” Putin said.

Israel is not planning to withdraw from Syria, says Putin

Pointing out that even the borders established during the USSR era were occupied by Israel, he said, “They are currently reinforcing their presence there by sending several thousand soldiers. I get the impression that they are not planning to withdraw but are instead strengthening their foothold.”

Immediately following the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, the Israeli army captured the buffer zone in Syria’s occupied Golan Heights, shortly after Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu announced the collapse of a U.N.-monitored disengagement agreement with Damascus.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army also mounted hundreds of airstrikes against military bases, air defense stations, and intelligence headquarters, as well as long- and short-range missile depots and unconventional weapon stockpiles across Syria.