The defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Russia, Syria, Turkiye and Iran met in Moscow today. “During the meeting, the attendees discussed practical steps towards strengthening security in the Syrian Arab Republic and normalizing Syrian–Turkish relations,” the Russia Defense Ministry said in a statement issued after the meeting. “Particular attention was given to countering all manifestations of terrorist threats, fighting all extremist groups on the territory of Syria. As a result of the talks, the sides reaffirmed the desire to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and the need to intensify efforts for the speedy return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.”
According to a statement by the Syrian Defense Ministry, the four ministers were “to discuss withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory...”
