Summit between Turkey and Russia over: Leaders announce ceasefire  to start in Idlib

The meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, held in Moscow to ease tensions following the attacks that killed 38 in Idlib has ended. After talks, Erdogan announced that a ceasefire would be declared in Idlib at 00:01 tonight, in accordance with the agreement reached with Russia.

Turkey and Russia agreed to establish a secure corridor 6 kilometers north and 6 kilometers south from the M4 highway in Idlib, the ministers said. The countries’ defense ministers will agree on the parameters of the security corridor within seven days.

The meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, held in Moscow to ease tensions following the attacks that killed 38 in Idlib has ended. After talks, Erdogan announced that a ceasefire would be declared in Idlib at 00:01 tonight, in accordance with the agreement reached with Russia.

One-on-one talks between Erdogan and Putin and the delegations ended. The meetings between Turkey and Russia, which closely concern the future in Idlib, lasted about 5 hours and 40 minutes.

Putin: “Today is the 3rd time we’ve had an interview this year. Our contact allows us both to find solutions for bilateral cooperation and to determine international approaches.”

” We have addressed the tense situation in Idlib. Since New Year’s day, the terrorist elements operating there have increased their activities. They keep both Syria and its settlements under fire. There was another attempted attack on 1 March. Since New Year’s day, the number of attacks has been recorded as 15 and we have not avoided informing our Turkish colleagues each time. The militants triggered the conflict. There are also casualties among the Turkish soldiers and we therefore conveyed our condolences to President Erdogan.

* In critical situations, we were always able to find common points and compromise based on the level of the bilateral relations. It happened today, as well.

Today we want to confirm that our countries intend to continue the agreement under the Astana format. Today’s meeting saw several consultations. The delegations held detailed talks on the crisis in Idlib.

* We are in favour of protecting the sovereignty of Syria and we will not diminish our fight against terrorist organisations. We drew up a joint document at the meeting. The foreign ministers will announce these documents. As a result of the discussions with Mr. Erdogan, we have prepared this document. This document will help stop the fighting in the Idlib region and put an end to the punishments of civilians and help us move forward on humanitarian aid.”

Erdogan: “First of all, I thank Mr. Putin for his kind invitation. I am pleased to meet Putin at a time when critical developments are taking place in our regions.”

“Today we discussed the situation in Syria and the latest developments in Idlib. We did 6 hours of work, as Putin said. We have negotiated all issues in which we have similar and different views within the context of the candid dialogue. Turkish-Russian relations have their roots. This is the history of the mutual interaction of the two peoples.

* We look forward to welcoming Mr. Putin in our country because of the 100th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. The agreement reached in Sochi in 2018 provided the official stability in Idlib. We’ll provide a zone to ease tensions in Idlib and will take all necessary measures to ensure the status quo.

* The regime’s attacks, which intensified last May and targeted civilians, disrupted the process. The regime is responsible for these. It is impossible for us to accept that the 4 million people living in this region have been declared terrorists and subjected to aerial and ground bombardment. The people of the region who are fleeing the persecution of the regime and whose number is 1.5 million, are massed on our borders.

* Turkey will not be tied up in the face of these threats. Observation points are not destined to control the situation in the field, but to control the ceasefire. Some time ago, we sent troops to Idlib to ensure stability. We sent our troops to the region against the regime and other threats that did not comply with the ceasefire. The creation of a new status quo in Idlib has become inevitable due to the regime’s aggression targeting our troops directly. We’ve discussed the matter thoroughly here today.

* A ceasefire will be declared in Idlib from 00: 01.

* We wish to maintain a working relationship with dimensions such as the political process and the east of the Euphrates. We believe that Russia, which we believe is cooperating with us on this issue, will not condone what the regime is doing.

* First of all, we will carry out the ceasefire as soon as possible, and then we will take the steps that we will decide together quickly. The truce will go into effect at midnight tonight. The process will be carried out to make the ceasefire permanent.

* Our goal is to prevent the humanitarian crisis from getting worse. We will work together to provide assistance to the region. Turkey will reserve the right to respond to attacks by the regime in this process.

* We will be in contact with Putin during this process. Turkey is determined to continue its initiative in the region until a solution is found to the Syrian crisis and to the territorial integrity of this country. I wish that our meeting today will contribute to finding a lasting solution to the entente in Syria.”

According to the memorandum, Turkey and Russia reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, as guarantors of the implementation of the ceasefire in the Syrian Arab Republic.

While reiterating their commitment to combating all manifestations of terrorism and eliminating all groups identified as terrorists by the United Nations Security Council, the parties acknowledged that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure cannot be excused in any way.

The parties stressed that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict and that the conflict can only be ended by the Syrians ‘ leadership and ownership, facilitated by the United Nations, through a political process consistent with Resolution 2254 of the United Nations Security Council.