Moscow and Ankara searching for ways to stabilize Idlib situation

Russia and Turkey are searching for ways to stabilize the Idlib situation, where Jabhat al-Nusra (banned in Russia) and its reincarnation, Tahrir al-Sham have seized a large part of territory, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"Our Turkish colleagues and the Russian military are working on possible solutions to the problem. Clearly, the terrorist hotbed will not remain, it cannot be there forever," Interfax cited Lavrov as saying.

The top Russian diplomat added that Moscow considers it possible for Syria and Turkey to agree on providing security along their common border after the withdrawal of the US forces from northeastern Syria.

“The problem of security on the Syrian-Turkish border arose chiefly due to the decision by the US to withdraw its units, its special forces and its military advisors from these areas. The situation definitely requires urgent steps to prevent a vacuum there," the minister stressed.

"We believe it is possible for Turkey and Syria to use the so-called Adana agreement of 1998. As I understand it, the Syrian government has also made a statement the other day indicating readiness to work on the basis of this agreement to ensure border security," Lavrov said, commenting on the situation in Syria's northwest after the U.S. announced its decision to withdraw troops.