UPDATE - Depending on developments, Turkish, Russian, Syrian leaders may meet to discuss peace in Syria: Erdogan

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH PRESIDENT; ADDS BACKGROUND

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish president on Thursday said after an upcoming foreign ministers meeting, the leaders of Russia, Türkiye, and Syria may also meet to discuss peace and stability in Syria, depending on developments.

"Depending on the developments, we may come together as the Russian, Turkish, and Syrian leaders. So, our aim is to establish peace and stability in the region," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, addressing his Justice and Development (AK) Party's extended provincial heads meeting in the capital Ankara.

Turkish, Russian, and Syrian defense ministers and intelligence chiefs came together in Moscow, he said, adding that "hopefully, the foreign ministers will come together in a trilateral format."

On Dec. 28, the Turkish, Russian, and Syrian defense ministers met in Moscow to discuss counterterrorism efforts in Syria, and they agreed to continue tripartite meetings to ensure stability in Syria and the wider region.

The meeting tackled the Syria crisis, the refugee issue, and joint counter-terrorism efforts against all terror groups in Syria.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said a second meeting could take place in mid-January.

- Türkiye's mediation efforts

Turning to Thursday's phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Erdogan said Russia is ready to provide grain deliveries to the African countries in need under the Black Sea grain deal.

"We will work to turn that grain into flour in our factories to be sent to underdeveloped African countries," Erdogan said.

Referring to the "balanced and fair policies" that Ankara pursues in relation to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, he said Türkiye has prevented "the spread of the fire in the region."

Erdogan also noted that through the Ankara-brokered grain deal, Türkiye has "saved the whole world from a hunger threat."

With Türkiye's mediation efforts that resulted in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, he said: "We have fulfilled both our humanitarian responsibility and kept the hopes of peace alive."

Also, criticizing those seeking to safeguard only their own interests during the crisis that escalated due to the Russia-Ukraine war, he said: "The so-called developed countries care about only their own security and prosperity and they can resort to any kind of method to protect them."

In July 2022, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February. A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

The first ship carrying grain departed on Aug. 1 last year from the Ukrainian port of Odesa under the historic deal.

Türkiye, internationally praised for its unique mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly called on Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through negotiations.