Erdogan and Assad Could Meet for the First Time in 13 Years with Putin's Mediation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his willingness to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to initiate a process of normalization between Ankara and Damascus, as reported by TRT Harber.

Previously, the Türkiye newspaper, citing sources, had stated that the first meeting between the Turkish and Syrian presidents in 13 years could take place in Russia this September.

“After Friday prayers, I said that we could start a new process (about normalizing relations) with Syria. We can send an invitation to Mr. Assad with Mr. Putin,” Erdogan told reporters upon returning from Astana.

According to him, Ankara and Damascus need to establish a permanent mechanism to resolve accumulated issues.

“It is very important for Syria to stand on its own feet and put an end to instability,” he added, stating that Turkey has “always extended a hand of friendship” to its neighbor.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, relations between Syria and Turkey have deteriorated significantly due to the massive influx of refugees from Syria to Turkey and Ankara's support for separatists within the opposition