Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Russian and Turkish militaries are discussing "practical actions" against terrorists in Syria's Idlib, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a news conference in Moscow following his meeting with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir, Lavrov said the issue had been discussed a dozen of times between Moscow and Ankara over the last couple of months.
Idlib was the main point in talks between Russian and Turkish ministers of foreign affairs and defense, and representatives of special forces several days ago in Moscow, he said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow remained in contact with the United States on the situation in Syria's opposition-held Idlib province.Russia said earlier on Wednesday it was discussing the situation there and in Syria's Afrin region with Iran and Turkey, as well as the Syrian government and opposition, the RIA news agency reported. Syrian foreign minister to visit Moscow on ThursdayUS warns Syria, Russia on possible Idlib offensiveUN chief warns against military escalation in Syria
Russia's Lavrov says contacts with US on Syria's Idlib ongoing
"The political understanding fully exists between Moscow and Ankara; it is urgent to separate normal armed opposition from the bandits of Al-Nusra Front and at the same time to prepare an operation against these terrorists, doing everything to minimize the risks to the civilian population," Lavrov said while referring to Idlib as "the last major hotbed of terrorists".
Russian and Turkish militaries are talking to each other, he said.
"How to translate this political agreement into the language of practical actions -- it has been discussed by the militaries of Russia and Turkey, who handle the situation on the ground," he said.
Active phase of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) joint anti-terrorist drill "Peace Mission-2018" began in central Russia on Wednesday.More than 3,000 soldiers from 7 countries and more than 500 units of equipment participate in the exercises, which are held at the Chebarkul range in the Chelyabinsk region that divides Russia into European and Asian parts.For the first time ever, Indian and Pakistani militaries stand together against a hypothetical aggressor at the drill.Also, for the first time, pilots from China, Kazakhstan and Russia are working in joint groups as part of the exercises.The exercises involve tanks, artillery units as well as air forces of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, China, India and Pakistan.
Active phase of Russia's SCO’s anti-terror drills start
Lavrov also said he expects the West to not obstruct the planned military operation against Al-Nusra Front in Idlib.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said he had exchanged views with Lavrov on Idlib and the two ministers agreed on the necessity to fight terrorists in this region.
Al-Jubeir added that Riyadh fully supports the political process in Syria. He recalled that the first ever conference of Syrian opposition had been organized with Saudi support and in the country's capital.
President Vladimir Putin told Russians on Wednesday he had decided to dilute unpopular draft legislation to reform the pension system which has hurt his popularity, but said serious demographic challenges meant some kind of reform was necessary.Addressing the nation on television, Putin said the retirement age for women should be raised by five years rather than the eight years proposed by the government, and made detailed proposals to soften other aspects of the legislation.The government's proposals have pushed Putin's own popularity down to its lowest level in more than four years.US warns Syria, Russia on possible Idlib offensiveRussia reinforces naval forces in Mediterranean off Syrian coastTies to Russia no alternative to US, EU: Turkish FMRussia to hold biggest war games in nearly four decades
Putin tells Russians he is softening unpopular pension reform
'No bargain on security'
About U.S. criticism concerning the possible purchase of Russian defense systems S-400 by Saudi Arabia, al-Jubeir said the country does not bargain over its security.
"There are two things in Saudi Arabia that we do not bargain on, security and faith. Our leadership is always striving to buy the most modern weapons for its army, to protect its sovereignty," he said.
Al-Jubeir said the country's militaries consult, negotiate and sign contracts on the purchase of weapons, including those from Russia.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem will visit Moscow on Thursday ahead of Syrian peace talks in Geneva, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.Al-Muallem would discuss with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov the Geneva peace talks scheduled on Sept. 14, repatriation of the Syrian refugees, and "staged” chemical attacks in Idlib, the ministry said in a statement.Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the conflict, according to the UN.Russia reinforces naval forces in Mediterranean off Syrian coastIran says to maintain military presence in Syria despite US pressureUN invites US and allies for Syria talks next month‘US seeks to strengthen presence in Syria by setting up missile defense shield’German chancellor, US president discuss Syria
Syrian foreign minister to visit Moscow on Thursday
"Now talks are being held between the Russian and Saudi concerned persons in the defense domain on buying certain defense systems. And I would not like to interfere in the process and to anticipate their results," he said.
Commenting on the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, Lavrov said the move was damaging to regional security.
Meanwhile, his Saudi counterpart said the agreement was "weak" and called for strengthening the sanctions on Iran.
The U.S. on Tuesday warned Russia and the Syrian regime against any potential offensive on the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib."We would hold them responsible and we would hold them accountable for that, most especially for the use of chemical weapons,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.“We would encourage Russia to make this point very clear to Damascus, that that will not be tolerated," she added.Russia reinforces naval forces in Mediterranean off Syrian coastTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu warned Friday that a possible military offensive on Idlib would be a "disaster".“Preserving the de-escalation zone in Idlib, Syria is important in both humanitarian respects and the fight against terrorism," Çavuşoğlu said.“Separating the civilians from the combatants in Idlib is important for everyone, but a solution through force would lead to a new wave of refugees and a humanitarian catastrophe.”Iran says to maintain military presence in Syria despite US pressureLocated near the Turkish border, Idlib in May was designated a “de-escalation zone” where acts of aggression are expressly forbidden.Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on protesters with unexpected ferocity.UN officials estimate that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict.
US warns Syria, Russia on possible Idlib offensive
"The [international agreement with Iran called] JCPOA is a weak agreement and does not provide for the adoption of active measures that would not allow Iran to continue its nuclear program as soon as possible. This agreement would end in 2025, and until then there was a danger that Tehran could build a nuclear bomb," al-Jubeir said.
Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had not forgotten about Saudi king's invitation to visit the country.
The exact dates and other details of the visit will be agreed via diplomatic channels later, he added.