An official representative office of Syrian Kurdistan — a self-proclaimed autonomous region in northern Syria — might open in Moscow in the near future, the Kommersant newspaper reported Tuesday, citing unidentified sources.
The issue may be discussed Wednesday at a meeting in the Foreign Ministry, the report said. Members of Democratic Union, one of the leading parties of the Syrian Kurds, will meet with Russian Foreign Ministry officials.
While the ministry hasn't yet confirmed the opening of the office, Turkish diplomats told Kommersant that such a step could elicit a harsh reaction from Turkey.
In Turkey, the Labor Party of Kurdistan is officially classified as a terrorist organization, an unidentified Turkish official told Kommersant, and the country would be categorically against the idea of an official Kurdish office opening in Moscow.
The move could further strain relations between Russia and Turkey, already threatened by Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict, in which Russia and Turkey back opposing sides.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.