Russian President Putin and Turkey’s Erdogan Are Set To Meet In Moscow

Tensions are threatening to bring Russia and Turkey into direct conflict in Syria. Mikhail Metzel / TASS

RFE: Putin, Erdogan To Meet In Moscow In Bid To Ease Syria Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to meet in Moscow as they seek to ease tensions over a flare-up in violence in Syria that threatens to engulf their nations in a direct armed conflict.

Erdogan said he was looking to persuade Putin to agree to a quick cease-fire in Syria’s Idlib Province when the two leaders meet in the Russian capital on March 5.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Russia has been racing to bolster its presence in Syria before the talks, citing flight data and shipping movements in the region.

Tensions have flared in Idlib in recent weeks as Turkey launched an offensive against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Russia.

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WNU Editor: For Russian President Putin to comply with Turkish President Erdogan's request for a quick cease-fire in Syria's Idlib province, Erdogan will need to offer a lot. But I do not see what leverage Erdogan has in making this happen. It is also telling that Erdogan is going to Moscow to meet Putin, and not the other way around. From my perspective Putin is clearly in the driver's seat on this issue.

More News On Russian President Putin and Turkey’s Erdogan Meeting In Moscow To Discuss Syria

Putin and Erdoğan in last-ditch talks to secure Syria ceasefire -- The Guardian/AP
Putin, Erdogan Seek to Ease Syria Tensions at High-Stakes Talks -- Moscow Times/AFP
Erdogan, Putin meet with hopes of reaching Idlib ceasefire -- Al Jazeera
Putin may be compelled to hand Idlib to the Turks -- Stephen Bryen, Asia Times