Russia does everything not to escalate situation around Iraqi Kurdistan - Putin

MOSCOW, October 4./TASS/. Russia has historically good relations with the Kurds, but in the issue of Iraqi Kurdistan Moscow believes everything must be done not to escalate the situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the forum Russian Energy Week in comments on the referendum on independence for the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Putin said that everything going on in this or that country is its internal matter. He reiterated his words about the situation around Catalonia. "I can say the same about Iraq," the president said, adding that he was well aware also how sensitive the issue is for Turkey, Iran and Syria. "By the way, we historically had good relations with the Kurdish people. We are not instigating anything and we are not pushing anyone towards anything, we are not interfering in these processes, that is why our statements (about the referendum) are rather careful, they seek not to escalate the situation, they seek that the parties find the way to contacts, cooperation and search for a mutually acceptable solution in most difficult conflict situations," Putin said. In reply to the question about possible consequences from Turkey’s warning that it could cut oil supplies from Iraqi Kurdistan in connection with the referendum, Putin said this "will tell on global energy markets, pushing the prices up". "But I think few are interested in this," he said. Read more