Russia highlights strong ties with Kurds

Russia highlights strong ties with Kurds and acknowledges 50,000-strong Kurdish community

Russia’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its positive relationship with the Kurdish people on Thursday, noting that around 50,000 Kurds reside in the country with full opportunities to maintain and develop their cultural identity. The comments were made by foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a press briefing.

Zakharova emphasized that Russia is a diverse, multiethnic society consisting of more than 190 ethnic groups, and that the Kurdish community holds a respected place among them. She stated that Russian laws and state policy ensure that all ethnic communities, including Kurds, can preserve their language, heritage, and cultural traditions.

She also mentioned that she personally has many Kurdish friends in Russia, underscoring long-standing social and cultural connections.

Moscow expresses commitment to deeper cultural cooperation

The foreign ministry spokesperson noted that Russia remains committed to strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. She stressed that these efforts aim to enhance relations between the peoples of the two multiethnic nations and involve collaboration with Iraqi federal authorities as well as various political forces, including Kurdish parties.

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region maintain strong economic ties with Moscow, particularly in the energy sector, where several Russian oil companies operate in both the Kurdistan Region and southern Iraq.

Kurdish scholar honored with prestigious Russian award

On November 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin honored Kurdish academic Dr. Rashad Miran during a ceremony marking National Unity Day in Moscow. Miran became the first Kurd to receive the Pushkin Medal—an award established in 1999 to recognize major contributions to the study and promotion of Russian culture in the fields of arts, literature, and the humanities.

Dr. Miran, a prominent sociologist and influential figure in the Kurdish political movement, highlighted the longstanding and close relations between the Kurdish people and Russia. He stated that throughout his career as an ethnographer, he has supported and contributed to strengthening ties between both sides.

Long-standing relations between Kurdistan and Russia

In his speech, Miran reflected on decades of cooperation, recalling his own involvement in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) during the 1970s and his work to foster academic and cultural connections with Russia. Zakharova later confirmed that Miran received the Pushkin Medal in recognition of his “significant personal contribution to popularizing the Russian language and culture.”

The remarks from Moscow underline the continued importance Russia places on its relationship with Kurds—both within its own borders and across the wider region.