Putin, Erdogan Agree to Expand Russia-Turkey Military Coordination in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed in a phone call on Thursday the situation in Syria and steps aimed at expanding joint efforts in the fight against Daesh and other terrorist groups in the war-torn country, the Kremlin press service said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moreover, they discussed the Syrian political settlement.

"The presidents discussed the implementation of the results of an international meeting on Syria in Astana under mediation by Russia, Turkey and Iran. They reaffirmed readiness to assist actively in further advancement of the Astana and Geneva processes on Syrian settlement," the press service said in a statement.

"The presidents also agreed to expand military coordination during the operation against militants from Daesh and other extremist groups in Syria," the statement said.

Putin expressed condolences to Erdogan over the deaths of Turkish soldiers near Syria's al-Bab.

"Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences over the tragic incident that resulted in the death of several Turkish soldiers near the town of al-Bab," the statement said.

Moreover, Putin and Erdogan discussed trade and economic cooperation with account for a meeting of the Russia-Turkey High-Level Cooperation Council due in Russia in March, the Kremlin press service said.

Putin and Erdogan "discussed urgent issues of Russian-Turkish cooperation in the trade, economic and other spheres, including in view of preparation for the meeting in Russia in March 2017 of the High-Level Cooperation Council."