Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with Foreign Ministry director general Dore Gold. (Source: Russian Foreign Ministry)
JERUSALEM (Combined Sources) — Russia expressed its reservations about rapprochement efforts between Turkey and Israel, a major Israeli newspaper reported Friday.
According to Haaretz, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met a senior Israeli official in Moscow and told him that Russia is dissatisfied with Israel’s pending rapprochement with Turkey.
Ankara had cut its diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv in 2010 after Israeli naval forces raided a Turkish aid ship that was bringing humanitarian supplies to the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip.
In the framework of negotiations on the normalization of relations with Israel, Turkey has demanded access to Gaza for reconstruction.
Russia also expressed concern about the likelihood of strengthening of Turkey’s influence in the Gaza strip, as well as in relation to alleged transactions regarding the purchase of Israeli gas to the Turkish side. The Israeli Foreign Ministry refused to comment on the issue.
In addition, Russia stated dissatisfaction with the likely deal to buy Israeli gas. At the moment the Russian suppliers have the largest share in the Turkish import of gas.
The publication also reported that in Israel itself there were “influential group of employees of the Ministry of Defense”, also urging not to rush to normalize relations with Ankara. They believe that the Turkish governments support the terrorist organization Hamas, as well as the objections of Russia and Egypt that indicate that the hasty signing of the agreement may not correspond to the interests of Israel.
Source: Asbarez
Link: Russia Not Happy with Turkey-Israel rapprochement