Hamas-Israel war suspends Turkish-Syrian détente – Russian official
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Russia’s ambassador to Syria, Alexander Yefimov, said on Sunday that the worsening situation in the region due the Hamas-Israel conflict has “temporarily” shifted the focus of Russia. He added that once the situation improves, Damascus-Ankara reconciliation efforts will be resumed.
In an interview with the pro-Syrian government Al-Watan Newspaper, Yefimov said that despite the decline in reconciliation efforts, the restoration of ties between Damascus and Ankara is still crucial for reaching a settlement in Syria.
The Russian ambassador emphasized the significance of the Astana process as the sole effective track for reaching a political settlement in Syria. He also disclosed the possibility of convening the next meeting as part of the Astana efforts before the end of 2023.
The Russian ambassador emphasized that “terrorists” in Idlib Governorate, or any other place in Syria, must surrender, drop their weapons, and receive the punishment they deserve, or “they will be destroyed.”
Regarding the Israeli airstrikes on Syrian airports, the diplomat said that bombing civilian airports is a blatant violation of the international law and Syria’s sovereignty, stressing Moscow’s “firm” rejection to these acts.
He warned that in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, “such irresponsible actions are fraught with more negative consequences for the entire region.”