Russia has ‘historic’ ties with Kurds: Consul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Russia has “historic” ties with Kurds in the Kurdistan Region and is committed to strengthening the centuries-long relations despite current difficulties, its consul general told Rudaw. 

“Our relations are historical, our relations are longstanding, our relations are friendly, our relations are positive, one might say, and even unique in its kind. It began centuries ago.” Maxim Rubin, Russia’s Consul General in Erbil, told Rudaw’s Dilbixwin Dara earlier this month. 

Rubin highlighted the significant period in history when legendary Kurdish leader Mulla Mustafa Barzani and his 504 companions lived, worked, and studied in Russia, later returning to the Kurdistan Region and bringing Russian and Soviet families with them, creating a “humanitarian bridge.”

Russia’s relationship with the Kurdistan Region has continued and developed, Rubin said, stressing that current “political and economic agendas” has not affected the foundation of the relations. 

“Russian companies work in the energy sector. They are huge companies, Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, and they are considered among the largest investors in the Kurdistan Region. The investments from these companies are more than $5 billion in total and they are still working here,” Rubin said. 

On Russia’s plans regarding the Kurds in northeast Syria (Rojava), Rubin said that Moscow is committed to a united Damascus which also respects the rights of other groups in the country. 

“Russia is present in Syria, responding to the invitation from the Syrian government in Damascus, a legitimate government. We intervened in 2015 with the purpose of fighting international terrorism. It can be said that Russia helped Syria and saved the Syrian people from falling into the hands of ISIS [Islamic State],” Rubin said. 

“We support Syria, a united Syria with independence and sovereignty, a democratic Syria where respect is given to the rights of all groups, peoples, and religions, including the Kurdish people,” he stressed. 

Rubin acknowledged that Moscow is currently mediating talks between the government in Damascus and the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), but said he was unaware of the status of the negotiations.

After a deadly civil war broke out in Syria over a decade ago, Kurds carved out an area of control in the northeast, establishing their own armed forces and administration, and partnering with the US to fight ISIS. They have largely avoided direct conflict with the Syrian regime but efforts to reach an understanding with Damascus that would allow the Kurds to maintain some level of autonomy have failed.