Russia’s foreign minister on Wednesday says that Moscow expects the Syrian government to take over territory in the country’s east following the US military withdrawal, The Associated Press reported.
Sergey Lavrov told a news conference that it is necessary to fully restore Syria’s sovereignty, adding that Turkey’s plan to create a buffer zone on the border with Syria should also be seen in that context.
He added that representatives of the US-allied Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) have engaged in negotiations with the Syrian government, noting that the US military facilities in the area should go under Damascus’ control once US troops leave.
Lavrov said the situation in Syria would be on the agenda for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s talks in Moscow next week.
Turkey has been planning a military operation east of the Euphrates River, an area controlled by the Kurdish militia.