Turkey, Syria normalization impossible amid situation in Gaza: Lavrov
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In October, Syria voiced that Turkey would have to withdraw its military forces from Syria before any kind of relationship.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gestures while speaking at his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia on January 18, 2024. (AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Saturday that any real moves to improve relations between Turkey and Syria are now difficult due to the ongoing war on Gaza.
During the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Lavrov explained that "practical steps" were not possible at the moment due to events in Gaza "directly affecting" all participants in the process.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Russia's interest in "promoting the normalization of relations between Syria and Turkey ... We have been working on this and, in fact, we continue to work on it."
Lavrov went on to say that the United States' bombardment of certain pro-Iranian sites, as well as its strikes on Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, are a diversion from this process.
In October, Syrian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bassam Sabbagh, pointed out that Turkey has to withdraw its military forces from Syria or else it will ruin any efforts toward any kind of relations.
"Turkey has to withdraw its military forces. Any other aspects, yes, of course, we will be open to discuss with them, but not to do so and to insist on staying - that's an illegal occupation and then this will block all the efforts toward any kind of contact and relations with Turkey," Sabbagh said in an interview for Sputnik.
A couple of months ago, the head of the Syrian delegation to Moscow and Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan considered that Turkey's official announcement that it would withdraw its forces from all Syrian territory is "the gateway to re-establish communication between the two sides."
In a different context, the Syrian Vice Minister also slammed the unilateral sanctions against Syria as inhuman, illegal, and requiring unconditional lifting.
In late September, Sputnik cited an informed source as saying that the US has taken a series of economic measures aimed at deterring Arab nations' efforts to reengage with Damascus, causing the Arab League's special committee to halt contacts with Syria.
At the level of the United Nations, the Syrian diplomat said the Security Council is not mirroring the geopolitical composition of today’s world, adding that developing countries need to have a representation within the body.
Hamas proposes Russia as main mediator in Gaza genocide ceasefire
During an interview for Sputnik, Hamas political bureau deputy head Moussa Abu Marzouk stated that the Palestinian Resistance suggested that Russia become involved in resolving the war on Gaza in counterbalance to the US and “Israel”.
"We want Russia to be the main actor in counterbalance to the US and Israel. We call for it and we propose that Russia be backed by a number of countries which support it in this. And we will seek to achieve this goal to find balance in the issue," Marzouk said.
He noted that Hamas is prepared to work on the captives’ release and a list of the captives, but on condition that a complete and immediate ceasefire is implemented.
According to Marzouk, no agreement on a truce has been achieved and Hamas is losing trust in the Israeli authorities partaking in the case.
This comes as a three-day inter-Palestinian gathering, initiated by Russia to facilitate consensus among different Palestinian factions regarding the genocide in the Gaza Strip, commenced on Thursday.
