Kremlin: Trump’s decision on occupied Syrian Golan will have negative aftermath for Middle East

MOSCOW – US President Donald Trump’s decision to sign a proclamation recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan will have negative consequences for the situation in the Middle East, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

“This decision will definitely have negative consequences both for the Middle East settlement process and the entire atmosphere in the Syrian political settlement. No one doubts about this,” Peskov said.

This is another step Washington has taken in violation of international law, he stressed, adding, “We regret this.”

On Monday, Trump signed a proclamation recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Russia and Syria as well as key European countries, including Germany and France, had earlier opposed these unilateral moves.

The Golan Heights, which belonged to Syria since 1944, were seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1981, the Israeli parliament passed a law unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the Golan. The UN Security Council declared the annexation null and void in its Resolution 497 on December 17, 1981.

TASS

R.S