Moscow on Friday declared it is in full compliance with its obligations under the 2018 Sochi agreements on Syria’s Idlib region, in response to accusations by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that Russia is not abiding by the deals, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
“Russia is fully fulfilling all obligations under the Sochi agreements with regard to the Idlib zone,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, referring to the de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are prohibited.
Admitting that “the situation there leaves much to be desired,” Peskov added that Russia’s “deepest concern” is “the large number of terrorists who constantly carry out offensive and aggressive actions” against the Assad regime and the Russian base in Khmeimim in nearby Latakia.
On Wednesday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized Russia’s attitude on Idlib, saying that if Moscow is a loyal partner, it should show this in Syria. “If Russia abides by the agreements [on Syria], so will we, but for now, Russia is fulfilling neither Astana nor Sochi deals,” said Erdoğan.
Turkey and Russia agreed in September 2018 to create a de-escalation zone in Idlib.
Since then, more than 1,300 civilians there have been killed in attacks by the Bashar al-Assad government and Russian forces.
More than 1million Syrians have moved near the Turkish border due to intense attacks over the last year.