MoU between Turkey, Russia on Idlib ‘being implemented’

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW

Russia on Tuesday said the memorandum of understanding signed by Moscow and Ankara to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib is being implemented.

Russian military personnel are satisfied with the work of their Turkish colleagues in Idlib, Dmitry Peskov, the presidential spokesman, told journalists in Moscow.

On Sept. 17, Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib.

Ankara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

Under the deal, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing renewed fighting.

"The memorandum is being implemented and the militaries are satisfied with how the Turkish side works in this regard," Peskov said.