Breaking News Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation that a 30-kilometer-deep terror-free zone on the Syrian border could not be established, and that it was necessary to make the area safe.
During the conversation between Erdoğan and Putin, regional issues including the Ukraine-Russia war and relations between Ankara and Moscow were discussed, according to the Communications Directorate of Turkey.
President Erdoğan stated that there was a need for steps that would minimize the negative effects of the ongoing war and build trust by re-establishing peace between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible.
He once again emphasized that if Moscow and Kyiv agree on principle, they are ready to meet with Russia, Ukraine, and the United Nations (UN) in Istanbul.
He also underlined that Turkey was ready to play a role in a possible observation mechanism.
The terrorist organization PKK/YPG’s attacks against Turkey and Syrian civilians continue in Syria, noted Erdoğan.
The 30-kilometer-deep security zones on the Syrian side in question were agreed upon with Russia in 2019 in Sochi.
Making these areas safe is a necessity, he added.