President Erdoğan: I will discuss with President Putin of Russia all the developments in Idlib

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke to reporters after performing the Friday prayer at Hz. Ali Mosque in Istanbul. 

In answer to a question concerning Idlib, President Erdoğan said: “I will have a phone conversation with Mr. Putin at about six o’clock this evening and discuss with him all the developments in Idlib from top to bottom.”

Noting that the outcome of the phone call due for this evening will shape Turkey’s stance in Idlib, President Erdoğan underlined that it is out of the question for Turkey to withdraw from Idlib so long as the regime continues its oppression against the people of Idlib and that only after the regime stops the oppression can there be a ceasefire.

Asked about Libya, President Erdoğan stated that Haftar lacks legitimacy and that Sarraj, who is recognized by the international community and the United Nations, is the legitimate leader. 

Concerning the allegations that Turkey wants Patriots from the U.S., President Erdoğan stated: “When S-400s were high on the agenda, I had told Mr. Trump ‘let us get Patriots from the U.S. just like we bought S-400s from Russia. We don’t want to work unilaterally. That is, we can use both S-400s and Patriots.’ They, however, couldn’t give us a positive answer.”