Russian President Vladimir Putin backed the idea of establishing a security zone along Turkey's border with Syria. Putin aired his support following talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow today. He was referring to ongoing efforts between Turkey and the United States to set up a security zone along Turkey's border with Kurdish-controlled northern Syria to avert conflict between Turkish forces and the United States' Kurdish allies whom Ankara calls terrorists.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Putin said, “Turkey is shouldering a huge refugee load. We are well aware of this [and] understand Turkey's concern over the security of its southern borders. We believe these are legitimate concerns.”

Today’s meeting was held at Erdogan’s request after Syrian regime forces targeted a Turkish military convoy said to be heading for Khan Sheikoun as opposition rebels were being driven out of the town. The attack left Turkish forces cut off at their observation post No. 9 in Morek. The private Haberturk news channel reported today that Russian military police were now effectively protecting dozens of Turkish forces marooned there.

Putin made no mention of either protecting or sustaining the Turkish presence in the so-called Idlib de-escalation zone agreed under the Astana track between Turkey, Russia and Iran and further refined in Sochi a year ago. Turkey has 12 outposts there that are meant to act as a buffer between the regime and Turkish-backed opposition rebels and to ease the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians. Turkey was also expected to somehow persuade thousands of jihadist militants affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to join the “moderates” under its wing and prevent the rest from attacking regime forces and Russian bases. It has failed on both counts.