Türkiye, Russia reaffirm support for Syria’s sovereignty in call between top diplomats

On January 31, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, to discuss the ongoing situation in Syria.

Both ministers expressed support for Syria’s political unity and emphasized the importance of an inclusive political transition process, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The Russian Foreign Ministry later confirmed the phone call, noting that there was a thorough exchange of views on the situation in Syria and its surrounding areas. A statement from the Ministry added that both ministers stressed the need for international efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement in Syria, underpinned by respect for the country’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

The Kremlin further mentioned that the two ministers also discussed a range of issues on the bilateral agenda. It was agreed to maintain close communication on Syria and other key regional and international matters.

Meanwhile, on January 31, it was announced that Ahmed al-Sharaa, recently declared president of Syria, would begin his official visits abroad. He is scheduled to travel first to Saudi Arabia and then to Türkiye, where his visit will focus on discussions regarding the presence of the terrorist group PKK/YPG in Syria.

Al-Sharaa's visit to Türkiye, where he is expected to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is anticipated to take place in the next two weeks. Work on the visit’s schedule reportedly began following al-Sharaa’s declaration as president.

In late November 2024, opposition forces launched a significant offensive against the Syrian army. On December 8, they entered Damascus, leading to the resignation and departure of President Bashar al-Assad. Just days later, Mohammed al-Bashir, leader of the so-called salvation government in Idlib, announced his appointment as head of the Syrian transitional government.

By Tamilla Hasanova