Ankara, Moscow demand 'decisive measures' in Syria ahead of Sochi summit
Turkey's defense minister hosted his Russian counterpart for a preparatory meeting for next week's summit on Syria in a show of the deepening friendship and security ties between the Black Sea powers.
Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar in Ankara today ahead of a trilateral summit on Syria in Russia’s Sochi between the presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran due to be held Feb. 14.
Akar and Shoigu reportedly discussed the latest developments in Syria, notably in the rebel-held province of Idlib, where al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants are consolidating their hold after driving out rival Sunni Arab rebel groups, including ones backed by Turkey. Akar initiated the meeting, according to the pro-government Turkish daily Sabah.
In a joint statement put out after their meeting, the ministers said “decisive measures” need to be taken to “stabilize the situation in Idlib province,” and “despite provocations,” to continue “partnerships between our two countries.”
The statement also referred to Turkey's “security concerns” stemming from the Islamic State as well as the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and its political arm the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the need to address them “within the framework of a common understanding.” Both Kurdish groups are considered terrorist outfits by Ankara though not by Moscow.
