The presidents of Russia and Turkey held talks on the situation in Syria and the restoration of full economic ties between the two countries on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the start of Wednesday's talks their ability to discuss key issues, including Syria, shows that relations are being fully restored.
Erdogan, on his part, said Russia and Turkey can “change the destiny of the whole region” together.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in Russia on May 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
The meeting, at Putin's Black Sea residence, coincides with Syria ceasefire talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, co-sponsored by Russia and Turkey.
The cooperation on Syria marks a sharp turnaround for Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in the war.
The Astana talks, however, hit a hurdle on Wednesday, when Syrian rebels said they were suspending participation in the latest round of peace talks, aimed at pushing a Russian plan for "de-escalation zones" in the war-torn country.
The Syrian government and opposition delegations had already gathered in the Kazakh capital Astana for the start of the fourth-round talks aiming at ending the six-year war.
Extinguish a burning car after an attack with a bomb-laden vehicle near interim government building in Azaz district of Aleppo, Syria on May 03, 2017. /VCG Photo
Erdogan and Putin also discussed the joint fight against terrorism, as well as the issue of bilateral cooperation. The previous meeting between the two leaders took place in March in Moscow. Since the beginning of the year, they have spoken on the phone five times.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Bocharov Ruchei residence on May 3, 2017. /VCG Photo
The meeting is taking place a day after Putin discussed the plan for safe zones with US President Donald Trump in what the White House described as a “very good” phone call.
Meanwhile, Putin and Trump agreed to step up efforts to cooperate on resolving the Syria conflict and the fight against terrorism, according to US and Russian statements.
(Source: Agencies)
