Russia and Turkey Remain Apart on Syria
Russia and Turkey differ on Syria but nevertheless make sure it is business as usual in Turkish-Russian ties, writes Semih Idiz.
Russia has once again poured cold water on Turkey’s expectations for a resolution of the Syrian crisis that does not include President Bashar al-Assad and that sees the Syrian opposition emerging victorious with outside support. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov openly spelled out Moscow’s position this week in Turkey, using language indicating that the two sides remain at serious loggerheads over this crisis.
Arriving in Istanbul on Tuesday, April 16, for a meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group involving the two countries, Lavrov did not mince words after official talks with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu. During their joint press conference, Lavrov said all the key players that had signed the Geneva Agreement had agreed on the need for a dialogue in Syria between the government and the opposition.
