And now about the highlights of the day.
The efforts of Russia, Turkey, and Iran helped stabilize the situation in Syria, as stated by Vladimir Putin. A trilateral summit was held in Ankara.
Maria Gladkikh has all the details.
This afternoon, Vladimir Putin arrived in Ankara and proceeded to the Cankaya Mansion, where a press conference was held. The leaders made important statements. We've waited for them all day. It's safe to say that the Astana process is very successful. Vladimir Putin stressed that during the conference. The first thing he said was: "My friends, the talks were very successful". Of course, one of the main topics discussed today was Idlib and Syria.
Vladimir Putin: "The situation in the Idlib zone causes the greatest concerns. It was basically taken by radical groups affiliated with Al Qaeda. We can't put up with this. Therefore, we agreed with Mr. Erdogan and Mr. Rouhani to continue working together in the interests of the final removal of tension in Idlib. The scale of the problems Syria faced is so great that their solution requires the support of economically developed countries, international organizations if they are truly interested in the refugees returning to their homes and not in using refugees and relocatees to resolve political tasks, including a possible future vote on key issues in the development of Syria".
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also spoke quite sharply today. His statements concerned the United States and its role in the entire process. He said the US needs to know its place and move out of the region. This was also stressed by Vladimir Putin. He said that no one should influence the further self-determination of Syria, and it should decide for itself what it wants and how it wants to live. The most important thing is organizing a committee. The committee will consist of 150 people who've already been chosen. The list has been prepared. Vladimir Putin emphasized that it is important that there is no outside influence.
Vladimir Putin: "In no case should the parties to this process, that is, the Syrians themselves, members of the constitutional committee, be bound hand and foot by external forces. It is necessary to create conditions so that they work voluntarily, creatively, and strive for a positive result. We will do our best to facilitate this. As for the presence of the US military, they are there illegally. Everyone knows it. We will proceed from the fact that the decision made by US President Trump to withdraw the US military from Syria will be fully implemented".
Also, everyone was worried about weapons issues. It is very important for Turkey to ensure its security. President Erdogan has repeatedly emphasized this. Vladimir Putin, in turn, noticed that brothers are fighting brothers in today's world and this can't continue like this.
Vladimir Putin: "I can't help but recall the lines from the Holy Quran: "Remember the mercy of Allah. You used to be enemies, but Allah reconciled your hearts. You became brothers by his grace." It means that the very things that divide people, cause conflicts, should go by the wayside when it comes to the spiritual closeness between people. Regarding assistance to Saudi Arabia... By the way, the Holy Quran also says any kind of violence is unacceptable except for protecting your kin. To protect the kin, the country, we are ready to provide appropriate assistance to Saudi Arabia. What political leadership of Saudi Arabia needs to do is to make a wise policy decision. Just as the Iranian leaders did, having purchased the S-300 systems, and as President Erdogan did, having purchased from Russia the S-400 Triumf air defense systems. They can reliably protect any infrastructure of Saudi Arabia".
Also, Vladimir Putin noted that negotiations are underway on the latest weapons. Negotiations are ongoing with Turkey so the conversation between the two presidents isn't over. In the end, Vladimir Putin invited Recep Tayyip Erdogan to an energy week in Moscow in October.
Maria Gladkikh, Vesti, Ankara, Turkey.
