The Donald Trump administration cautiously welcomed the deal but expressed reservations about Tehran’s role. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the United States hoped the deal would lead to “a de-escalation of violence” in Syria, while accusing Iran of being behind much of that violence.
On his way back from the meeting, Erdogan asserted that Putin opposed the creation of an independent Kurdish state in northern Syria, an outcome Turkey is determined to avoid. Erdogan said he told Putin about his concerns regarding photos of Russian soldiers mingling with the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units, which Turkey considers terrorists, and Putin said he would look into it.
- Russia proposes “de-escalation zones” to freeze Syria war
Meanwhile, negotiations began Sunday regarding the evacuation of rebels and their families from the Barzeh and Qabun districts of Damascus, a Syrian military source said. If the deal goes through, it will be the first time rebels are evacuated from the capital since war broke out in 2011.
Russia seeks UN vote on Syria safe zones proposalRussia has introduced a draft UN Security Council resolution in support of the proposal to create four “de-escalation” zones in Syria, Russian diplomats said Sunday. The agreement was hammered out last week with Turkey and Iran during cease-fire talks in Astana, Kazakhstan. Voting could take place as early as today or Tuesday.