Russia's Putin: US recognition of Israel's Golan sovereignty illegal

At a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow on Monday, Putin was asked about Russia’s stance on the US decision.

“Regarding recognition of the Golan Heights as a part of Israel, you already know Russian stance. It’s been presented in a statement by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. The move violates respective UN Security Council resolutions,” President Putin said.

On March 25, Trump signed a proclamation recognizing the occupied part of Syria’s Golan Heights as Israeli territory.

On Sunday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced Trump’s decision, saying it “flagrantly violates the UN Charter.”

Damascus called the decision a “blatant attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Syria.

The Arab League also said the unilateral decision “does not change the area’s status.” Other countries — including Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Russia, and the European Union (EU) — also rejected the move.

In 1967, Israel waged a full-scale war against Arab territories, during which it occupied a large swathe of the Golan and annexed it in 1981, a move never recognized by the international community. Syria has repeatedly reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Golan Heights, saying the territory must be completely restored to its control.