Syria talks: Turkish president departs for Russia

By Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Russia visit has kicked off as he departed from capital Ankara to Moscow Thursday morning.

He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolglu and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, among other high profile government representatives.

The president will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on his day-long visit.

The two leaders are set to discuss the recent developments in Syria, including cease-fire violations in the Idlib de-escalation zone, a stronghold of opposition forces in the war-torn country since 2011.

The regime and its allies have consistently broken the terms of the 2018 cease-fire and a new one that started on Jan. 12, launching frequent attacks inside the territory.

Besides civilian casualties and influx of asylum seekers along the Turkey borders, the breach recently led to the martyrdom of 34 Turkish soldiers. In response, Ankara launched Operation Spring Shield against regime targets.

Turkey's soldiers are stationed in northwestern Syria to protect the local population and counter-terrorist groups. Ankara has urged Russia to live up to the peace agreements and ensure an immediate cease-fire in the region.

*Writing by Firdevs Bulut