Russian President Vladimir Putin and France's President Emmanuel Macron
Russian President Vladimir Putin and France's President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone ahead of a four-way summit in Istanbul on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Interfax newsagency.
Putin and Macron are due to meet Germany's Angela Merkel and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss developments in Syria's opposition-held Idlib province and the political process for resolution of the conflict.
Putin and Macron discussed arranging a high-level Russia-U.S. meeting in Paris.
Turkey's national defense minister met on Saturday with his Russian counterpart in Istanbul ahead of a four-way Syria summit to be held in the city on Saturday.Turkey's Hulusi Akar and Russia's Sergey Shoigu exchanged views on the latest situation in Idlib, Syria as well as regional security during their talks, according to Turkish defense sources who asked not to be named, due to restrictions on speaking to the media.The summit on Syria, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will see the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron.Syria summit to discuss ‘permanent cease-fire' in IdlibStaffan de Mistura, the UN special Syria envoy, will also attend the summit.During the summit, the participants will address the Syrian conflict in all its aspects, focusing on the situation on the ground, the Idlib agreement, and the political process, and harmonizing joint efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict.The leaders will also discuss the Sept. 17 agreement between Ankara and Moscow to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.Turkish foreign minister met Russian counterpart ahead of Syria summit
Turkish, Russian defense ministers meet for Syria talks
Meeting in Istanbul on Saturday, leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany and France will discuss ways to achieve a “permanent cease-fire” in Idlib, Syria, according to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman.“The Turkey-Russia agreement on a demilitarized zone in Idlib has been an important first step to prevent a large-scale military assault and a humanitarian catastrophe there,” Steffen Seibert said in a video message posted on Twitter.“And now the question will be how to move from there to a permanent cease-fire in Idlib, achieve permanent security for the people of Idlib,” he stressed.Turkey and Russia agreed on Sept. 17 to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.Turkish foreign minister met Russian counterpart ahead of Syria summitUnder the deal, opposition groups in Idlib are to remain in areas where they are already present, while Russia and Turkey carry out joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing a resumption of fighting.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is hosting the four-nation summit, with the participation of Merkel as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.Staffan de Mistura, the UN special Syria envoy, will also attend the summit.Turkey to save N. Syria from ‘cruelty of terrorists’Assad regime violates Sochi agreement in Syria's Idlib
Syria summit to discuss ‘permanent cease-fire' in Idlib