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Russia, Turkey seek to break deadlock in Syria over Idlib

Russia and Turkey say they will stick to their agreements on Idlib, but recent military developments in the area expose the challenges the countries may encounter in fulfilling their respective commitments.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan speak during a ceremony to mark the completion of the sea part of the TurkStream gas pipeline, in Istanbul, Turkey November 19, 2018. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS  ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC12DCA255B0
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During the recent G-20 gathering in Buenos Aires, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on the margins to discuss what's arguably the most delicate issue in their bilateral relations in Syria: Idlib. The next day, Dec. 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Rossiya 1 TV the two leaders had agreed on additional steps to boost their ailing effort to maintain an Idlib demilitarized zone.

The two presidents had signed comprehensive Idlib agreements Sept. 17 in Sochi, Russia, but deadlines for implementing parts of the pact have come and gone. Russia backs the Syrian regime while Turkey supports opposition groups. Though the demilitarized zone separates the two, shelling continues between the regime and extremist militias that Turkey was supposed to have cleared from the area by Oct. 15.

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