RT reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin commented that the political crisis in Syria has brought many benefits to Israel.
Speaking at his annual year-end press conference on December 19, Mr. Putin said that Israel's concerns about national security when the Syrian government collapses are understandable, but still condemned all acts of occupying Syrian territory.
The Russian President acknowledged that Israel is taking measures to ensure national security, and expressed hope that Israel will withdraw its troops from Syrian territory.
However, with the continued deployment of additional troops and a series of statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about not withdrawing troops from the Golan Heights, Mr. Putin is concerned that Israel is planning to occupy this area.
Mr. Putin revealed that people living in the Golan Heights even recently submitted a proposal to annex the Jewish State, causing Syria to face a completely new problem in an already unstable political context.
The Russian leader also said that the disintegration of Syria would have to be resolved under the UN Charter, in which countries have the right to self-determination.
In a statement on December 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Israel will “forever” maintain control over the Golan Heights, affirming that it is “an inseparable part” of the Jewish State.
On December 15, a plan to double the population of the Golan Heights at a cost of up to $11 million was approved by the Israeli government.
Israel took control of much of Syria's Golan Heights after the Six-Day War with Syria in 1967.
In 1981, the Israeli parliament passed a law unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the Golan Heights. In Resolution 497 on December 17, 1981, the United Nations Security Council declared the annexation null and void.
