Russia ‘understands’ Turkey's border security concerns

By Ali Cura and Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia understands Turkey's concerns over its border security, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"We understand Turkey's concerns over its border security," Lavrov said.

Turkey's operation in northeastern Syria was "a result of steps taken by U.S. in the region", he added.

Lavrov's remarks came a day after Turkish troops along with the Syrian National Army (SNA) have begun Operation Peace Spring against the PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorists in northern Syria.

The operation was launched east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.

Turkey has said the terrorist group PKK and its extension the YPG/PYD constitute the biggest threat to Syria’s future, jeopardizing the country’s territorial integrity and unitary structure.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

* Writing by Diyar Guldogan