Putin says in constant contact with Erdogan on Middle East issues

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the "Results of the Year" that Russia is in constant contact with Turkey and, in particular, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the situation in the Middle East.

As the Russian leader noted, Erdogan's attitude, as well as the attitude of the Russian Federation, to what is happening in the Middle East (in Lebanon and Palestine) is well known to everyone.

"Our position is not supported by some current conjuncture, we have always believed so and now believe that the Palestinian problem can be solved only by removing the causes of its emergence. A decision was made with the UN Security Council in due time - that two states should be formed - Israel and Palestine," Putin said.

The President pointed out that Palestine, however, has never been created, and that is the problem. While illegal settlement activity continues on Israel's side.

"I don't know what final goals Israel is pursuing in the Gaza Strip, but it is only worthy of condemnation. And we have done it repeatedly, at almost all levels. <...> The same applies to Lebanon," the head of state added.

Answering a question about Syria, Putin expressed the opinion that Turkey is doing everything to ensure the security of its country on its southern borders.

The situation in Syria escalated as a result of a major attack by armed groups in Aleppo and Idlib, which began on November 28 and led to the Syrian army's retaliation against the militants.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian movement Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Israel began retaliatory strikes the same day.

On the essence of cases: over 1.6 million questions received on a direct line with Putin

In what format it will be held this time and what citizens are most concerned about

The direct line with Vladimir Putin in 2024 is combined with a press conference for the media. The format, called "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin," allows the president to convey his position not only on citizens' issues, but also on the state and world agenda, which is often asked about by journalists.

Representatives of Western media and foreign journalists accredited in Russia have also received invitations to the events.

As of the morning of December 19, the number of requests sent to the direct line with the president exceeded 2 million.

The first live broadcast took place in December 2001. By the President's own admission, this event is the most powerful sociological poll, which allows citizens to convey their position and assessment of the country's leadership.

The latest news about the "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin - 2024" - in the Izvestia story.