Turkey, Russia ready to expedite Aleppo aid efforts
Turkey and Russia say they are ready to expedite efforts to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian aid to people caught up in violence in Syria’s northwestern city of Aleppo, which has been a flash point in the recent past.
The Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Friday that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin “agreed to accelerate efforts to ensure help reaches people in Aleppo.”
The two presidents had a telephone conversation, Anadolu said, where they “held a thorough exchange of views on the situation in Syria.”
The two sides also highlighted such joint efforts and the need for cooperation to obtain regional security against all terrorist organizations including the Takfiri Daesh terror group.
Erdogan and Putin also agreed to hold further talks in the first week of September during the G20 Summit in China.
Russia confirmed the phone conversation.
Moscow and Ankara have been working to mend ties that were strained after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border last year.
The two countries signed a deal in June to normalize relations.
The situation in Aleppo is dire as the United Nations has been pushing for a ceasefire so that humanitarian aid can be shipped into the city, which is home to nearly two million people.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday that he had received Russia’s agreement for a 48-hour truce meant for humanitarian access to Aleppo.
“The Russian Federation replied 'yes', we will wait for others to do the same,” said de Mistura, adding, "...we are ready, trucks are ready and they can leave anytime we get that message."
Aleppo has been divided between Syrian government forces in the west and Takfiri terrorists in the east. Syrian forces have been engaged in a major operation to liberate the militant-held parts of the city as well as the province with the same name.
Erdogan: Israel to blame for tensions in West Asia
Turkey imposes trade restrictions on Israel over Gaza war
Turkish police arrest dozens in pro-Palestine rally in Istanbul
Iraqi resistance forces hit Israeli Ovda air base
Hackers break into Israeli military’s computers, access trove of documents
Tulkarm Brigade commander killed by Israeli forces in raid on refugee camp
Zionist media desperately trying to turn Israeli defeat into victory: Iran
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Iran censures US veto of Palestinian request for full UN membership
Over 14,000 kids killed in Israel’s war on Gaza: UNICEF
VIDEO | Iran’s National Army Day marked at the Iranian embassy in Moscow
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
