Russia hosted historic “rapprochement talks” for Syria and Turkey

    The highest-level talks between Syria and Turkey  since the start of the Syrian civil war over 10 years ago took place on Wednesday at the residence of the Russian foreign minister, who was joined by his equivalents from Syria, Turney,  and Iran.

    In his opening comments, “Russian Foreign Minister,” Sergey Lavrov hoped that the meeting would open the door to creating a roadmap for improving “Turkish-Syrian” relations. According to Lavrov, Russia’s task involves not only “consolidating politically the progress that has been made” but also “formulating general guidelines for further movement.”

    Starting in September 2015, Russia launched a military operation in Syria, working in tandem with Iran to support Assad’s government in its efforts to retake the majority of the nation. While the majority of its forces are engaged in fighting in Ukraine, Moscow has kept a military presence in the nation in the Middle East.

    Turkey has supported armed opposition groups working to overthrow Assad for the duration of the 12-year conflict. The Syrian government has frequently criticized Ankara’s control over a region of a northwest enclave that Assad’s adversaries had previously taken over.

    Reconciliation efforts between Syria and Turkey are being made as Turkish President Recep “Tayyip Erdogan” faces intense domestic pressure to deport Syrian refugees due to a severe economic downturn and a rise in anti-refugee sentiment. On Sunday, when Turkey also holds elections for the president and the legislature, he will be running for reelection.

    The state media of Syria quoted, as FM Faisal Mekdad said during the meeting that Syria and Turkey “share goals and common interests.” He claimed that “despite all the drawbacks over the past few years,” Damascus saw the talks as a chance “for both governments to cooperate with the help and support of our friends Russia and Iran.”

    Separately, the “Arab League” decided on Sunday to reestablish Syria, ending a 12-year suspension that came about as a result of “Assad’s brutal suppression” of initially peaceful pro-democracy protests in 2011.

    Saudi Arabia, an “oil-rich superpower” that had supported opposition groups seeking to topple Assad, and Syria both announced on Tuesday that their respective embassies would reopen.