Russia submits reservations about Turkey-Israel talks

Russia has convened its dissatisfaction to Israeli officials about the country's recent rapprochement with Turkey, especially on Gaza and a likely natural gas deal, Israel's Haaretz daily reported Thursday.

According to the report, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov submitted the Kremlin's reservations together with those of Egypt during a meeting in Moscow on Thursday afternoon with Israel's Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold.

Moscow has concerns about Turkey's gain of a substantial foothold in the Gaza Strip, the report said, according to an Israeli source knowledgeable about the Russian position regarding Israeli-Turkish contacts. The report says that while Turkey "has demanded free access to Gaza and special status with regard to the import of humanitarian equipment into the Gaza Strip and the construction of infrastructure, such as a power generator for electricity," Moscow and Cairo are concerned about the development.

The possible deal between Israel and Turkey on natural gas is another component that Lavrov voiced reservations about to Gold in the meeting, the report said, pointing out that Russia is the biggest natural gas supplier to Turkey. Haaretz previously reported that Cairo has asked Israel to clarify the recent progress in its reconciliatory talks with Turkey, citing unnamed senior Israeli officials.