China News Agency, Moscow, February 28 (Reporter Wang Xiujun) According to Russian President News Network, Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan talked on the phone on the 28th. The situation in the region is normalized.
The call was made at the proposal of Turkey. During the call, the two sides exchanged views on the situation in Syria and expressed concern about the escalation of the situation in the Idlib area in northwestern Syria. The leaders of the two countries agreed that it is extremely important to strengthen effective coordination between the Russian and Turkish defense agencies. The two sides agreed to strengthen consultations between relevant departments and study the possibility of a recent summit meeting. In addition, Putin emphasized in the call that the current priority in Syria is to fight terrorists.
On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov told the outside world that in response to the ongoing violations of the ceasefire system in Idlib, Syrian government forces have the right to fight terrorists, and Russia cannot stop this. At the same time, the Russian side expressed condolences to Turkey on the death of Turkish soldiers in Syria. Lavrov emphasized that Russia is making every effort to ensure the security of Turkish soldiers in the Idlib area.
Russian President ’s Press Secretary Peskov said on the same day that a Russian intergovernmental working group is negotiating with Turkey to cool the situation in the Idlib area.
Syria's Idlib province borders Turkey and is the last major area controlled by Syrian opposition armed and terrorist groups. Syrian government forces have been hoping to recapture this area. In September 2018, Putin and Erdogan decided to establish a demilitarized zone between Syrian government forces and opposition forces in Idlib. The Turkish side can set up 12 observation points in the Idlib area.
On the evening of February 27, Syrian government forces launched an air strike on the Idlib area. As Turkish soldiers mixed with Syrian militants, the air strike killed 33 Turkish soldiers and injured more than 30 Turkish soldiers. The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that according to information provided by Turkey, Turkish soldiers should not be present in areas where Syrian government forces attacked. Peskov said that all the casualties were in areas outside the observation point. Despite repeated requests from Russia, Turkey did not inform the Turkish army of the air strikes. (Finish)