Turkey mustn't derail Syrian talks: Russia

Russia has called on Turkey to stop actions that could torpedo Syria’s peace talks and disrupt the ceasefire in the war-stricken country.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Friday slammed Ankara for shelling Syrian Kurdish positions and for sending weapons across the border to assist foreign-backed terrorists, Bloomberg reported.

Such actions must stop “to provide a more constructive atmosphere for the intra-Syrian talks and a more durable ceasefire,” said Gatilov.

Gatilov’s remarks come as a new round of talks between Syria’s government and opposition is scheduled for Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, as a partial ceasefire extends into a third week.

The ceasefire agreement in Syria, brokered by Russia and the United States, entered into force on February 27. The Syrian government accepted the terms of the truce on condition that military efforts against Daesh and the al-Nusra Front terrorists, who are excluded from the ceasefire, continue.

Gatilov also urged the Syrian government and opposition groups to show “real willingness” to agree on a new constitution for Syria that would build a “future democratic society.”

SS