Syria should decide how to build bilateral relations with Russia, says Turkey’s foreign ministry

Turkish authorities say that the Syrian government itself should determine how to approach and build bilateral relations with Russia, Kommersant reports, citing sources from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement was made in response to questions about Ankara’s position on a potential Russian military presence in Syria.

The sources emphasized that Ankara supports bilateral relations based on mutual respect, taking into account the interests of the Syrian government as well as any third party.

“Turkey actively pursues policies to develop cooperation between the Syrian government and the international community, providing ongoing support for national efforts to establish stability and security in Syria,” the newspaper reported.

In this context, Ankara is said to defend sovereign and equal bilateral relations, grounded in mutual respect for the interests of both the Syrian government and any third country.

“At the same time, naturally, it is up to the Syrian government to decide how to approach bilateral relations with Russia and how to build them,” the sources added.