Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on November 19 told reporters that, after World War I, “the Kurds were promised their own state but were ultimately deceived.

“The Kurdish population in the region is substantial, numbering in the tens of millions across Turkiye, Iran, and Iraq, where they live in concentrated communities. Estimates suggest there are at least 30 to 35 million Kurds. This underscores the gravity of the Kurdish issue,” he said during the annual press conference Results of the Year.

“The Kurdish issue requires a resolution. This should have been addressed within the framework of Syria under President Bashar al-Assad,” President Putin added. 

“Now, it must be resolved with the authorities currently in control of the Syrian territory, while Turkiye must also find a way to ensure its security. We understand the complexity of these matters. However, this is a topic for another discussion, so as not to take up time today.”