Syrian President Bashar al-Assad confirmed Syria's openness to all initiatives related to its relationship with Turkey, based on the sovereignty of the Syrian state over all its territory and the fight against all forms of terrorism and its organizations. During a meeting with Russian President’s Special Envoy Alexander Lavrentyev, he emphasized that these initiatives reflect the willingness of the concerned countries to achieve stability in Syria and the region as a whole. Assad pointed out that Syria has always dealt positively and constructively with all relevant initiatives, noting that the success and fruition of any initiative stem from respecting the sovereignty and stability of countries.
In another context, the Syrian president praised the peace initiative launched by President Vladimir Putin between Russia and Ukraine, considering it a real foundation for a peaceful settlement between the two countries, and that its rejection by the West and Ukraine means that they bear the full responsibility for the bloodshed. For his part, Lavrentyev affirmed his country's support for all initiatives related to the relationship between Syria and Turkey from all countries interested in correcting that relationship. He stressed that the current circumstances seem more favorable than ever for successful mediation, and that Russia is ready to work to advance negotiations, aiming for the successful restoration of relations between Syria and Turkey.
