Russia ready to support Kurdish groups in Syria

Russia is willing to support armed Kurdish groups fight Daesh in Syria, the country’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Speaking prior to a meeting with co-chairman of pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtas in the Russian capital Moscow, Lavrov said: “We know that there are Iraqi and Syrian Kurds among those who on the ground resisting the threat from the Islamic State and other extremist groups with weapons in their hand,” using another name for the group.

Regarding the recent animosity between Russia and Turkey he said: “Our stance against the Turkish government will not be expanded to include the Turkish people.”

Demirtas said he realises his visit to Moscow comes at a critical time when relations between Turkey and Russia are at a “critical stage”.

He said the shooting down of the Russian jet was “not a right move” but added that the crisis should not be allowed to hurt the Turkish and Russian people.

“The people of Turkey have no responsibility in the current crisis,” he said.

“There could be crises between countries but we always favour that diplomatic channels be kept open and problems be resolved through dialogue,” he said.

Speaking about the downing of the Russian jet, alluding to the Kurdish militia, Turkey’s President said earlier: “We must stop those politicians who speak for the terrorist organisations that spread destruction in various areas in our country,”