Russia continues to urge Turkey not to start a ground operation in Syria, and these contacts have been successful, Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters on Monday.
"Contacts are ongoing. The ground operation has not yet been launched, which means there has already been some success. We will continue," said the deputy minister.
"Of course," Bogdanov added when asked whether Moscow continues to urge Ankara to give up the ground operation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously announced plans for a ground operation in northern Syria, following an air operation that began on November 20. More than 50 planes and 20 drones were involved. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the strikes destroyed terrorists' bases, warehouses and hideouts and eliminated hundreds of militants.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS