Congratulations on Passover holiday
Vladimir Putin congratulated Russia’s Jewish community on Passover holiday.
April 10, 2017
10:00
The message reads, in part:
“This holiday is a reminder of a major event in Jewish history: liberation from centuries-long enslavement. The ancient traditions of that event are treasured and passed on from one generation to another. During this holiday, Jews remember the origins and celebrate the values of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Judaism. They are also global values because they are based on the eternal ideals of justice, goodness and concern for our neighbours.
It is gratifying that there have been so many positive events in the life of Russia’s Jewish community. You are establishing new religious and educational centres, opening museums and exhibitions and promoting international relations. The Jewish community is actively pursuing philanthropic and promotional work, has greatly contributed to strengthening interethnic and interfaith peace in the country, and is involved in educating young people.”
Telephone conversation with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani
Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani, at the Iranian side’s initiative.
April 9, 2017
15:45
The President of Russia thanked Mr Rouhani for the condolences expressed in connection with a terrorist attack in St Petersburg metro on April 3.
Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani exchanged opinions on the situation in Syria, emphasising that aggressive actions taken by the United States against a sovereign state and the violation of international law are inadmissible. Both presidents spoke in favour of an objective and unbiased investigation of the circumstances involving the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian province of Idlib.
The two leaders also noted the importance of further close interaction on the political and diplomatic settlement of the armed conflict in Syria.
Mr Putin and Mr Rouhani also discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Iranian President’s official visit to Russia on March 27–28, 2017. Particular attention was paid to key aspects of bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. The two presidents expressed readiness to boost these efforts to ensure stability and security in the Middle East.
Condolences on the passing of cosmonaut Georgy Grechko
April 8, 2017
18:30
Vladimir Putin expressed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of twice Hero of the Soviet Union, cosmonaut Georgy Grechko on his passing.
Georgy Grechko carried out three space flights with a total duration of more than 134 days, and one spacewalk.
Comment from the Press Service of the President of Russia
April 7, 2017
09:00
The President of Russia regards the US airstrikes on Syria as an act of aggression against a sovereign state delivered in violation of international law under a far-fetched pretext. The Syrian Army has no chemical weapons. The fact of the destruction of all Syrian chemical weapons’ stockpiles has been recorded and verified by the OPCW, a specialised UN body. Vladimir Putin believes that complete disregard for factual information about the use by terrorists of chemical weapons drastically aggravates the situation.
This move by Washington [the US airstrike on an air base in Syria] has dealt a serious blow to Russian-US relations, which are already in a poor state. Most importantly, this move will not bring us closer to the ultimate goal of combatting international terrorism but will instead create a major obstacle to the establishment of an international counterterrorist coalition and to effective struggle against this global evil, something that US President Donald Trump declared as one of his main goals during his election campaign.
Vladimir Putin regards the US strikes on Syria as an attempt to draw public attention away from the numerous civilian casualties in Iraq.
On Friday, the United States launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at an air base in Homs Province in western Syria.
