Russia says humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Türkiye continues

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia continues providing humanitarian aid to quake-hit Türkiye, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Zakharova said "taking into account the scale of the natural disaster in the Republic of Türkiye, we will certainly continue to assist it in eliminating the consequences of the disaster."

"Currently, the relevant Russian agencies are working on the requests received from the Turkish side, including the supply of necessary equipment, materials, and the collection and dispatch of humanitarian supplies to those in need through certain Russian regions," she said.

Nine hours apart, twin quakes rocked southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, killing more than 38,000 people and leaving behind a trail of destruction.

- US 'provocation,' relations with Israel

Zakharova called "provocation" the US State Department's travel advisory to its citizens to "immediately" leave and not travel to Russia and Belarus.

She said the US employs discriminatory methods and Washington is working on amending its legislation to confiscate Russian assets.

"Despite the fact that people do not commit any crimes, the American authorities, can apply all means of pressure and give crazy (prison) terms to people simply because they have a Russian passport," she said.

The spokeswoman said Russia issued a travel advisory for its citizens as well, recommending to "bypassing the US as a dangerous territory for living, life and health."

About a meeting between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and US ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy, Zakharova said Ryabkov handed Tracy a note, urging the US to behave in digital space "in a manner befitting a diplomatic mission."

Turning to Russian-Israeli relations, Zakharova said the two countries have "significant differences in the assessment of certain aspects of the crisis in Ukraine," but at the same time "productive cooperation on other issues of mutual interest" continues.

In a separate statement on Telegram, Zakharova commented on a statement by US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland, who promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a Nobel Prize for a settlement in Ukraine.

"Victoria, better (promise Netanyahu a Nobel Prize) for the settlement of the Middle East conflict," Zakharova said.

Turning to the Karabakh settlement, Zakharova said representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan confirmed their interest in Russia's mediatory efforts in contacts with Igor Khovayev, a special envoy of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"Both the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides confirmed their interest in the mediation of our country," she said when asked about the results of envoy's trips to Yerevan and Baku.

Russia is ready to organize another meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, she added.

Zakharova also confirmed that Azerbaijan and Russia are preparing Foreign Minister Lavrov's visit to Baku.