国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Moscow exerts pressure on Ankara over Turkey-U.S. safe zone deal: experts_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Moscow exerts pressure on Ankara over Turkey-U.S. safe zone deal: experts

Asked about discussions with Russia, one of the sponsors of the cease-fire deal for Idlib, the Turkish minister said Ankara and Moscow are having dialogues on all levels, and officials from both sides, including the chiefs of general staff, had a phone conversation after the incident.

Turkey and Russia have built both economic and political partnership particularly on the issues of the purchase of S-400 missile defense systems and strategic Akkuyu nuclear power plant construction, Baburoglu said, adding the two countries also cooperate on the Astana process which seeks a political settlement of the Syrian conflict.

But interests of Ankara and Moscow conflicted when the issue comes to Idlib since Turkey backs the "moderate" opposition groups and rejects military assault by the Syrian government in fear of massive refugee influx to its borders, the expert said.

However, Russia supports Damascus for its military operation against the extremist militants in Idlib, the last stronghold of the rebels, he noted.

Turkey and Russia agreed last September to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone that prohibited acts of aggression. The deal, however, has largely failed despite several attempts to revive it.

Baburoglu expected that the upcoming trilateral meeting of leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran will address these issues. The three partners in the Astana process are scheduled to meet on Sept. 11 in Turkey to work toward a political settlement of the Syrian war.