I've been following this most recent interaction between Russia and Turkey. It seemed there had to be more to some of the statements issued from that meeting then had been initially reported in the above post. Specifically this statement:
"He (Putin) sympathised with Turkey, saying: "We understand Turkey's concern regarding the security of its southern border. We believe that these are legitimate interests."
Contrary to where the earlier articles had led the reader, Idlib, the entire statement appears to take the reader in an entirely different direction, geographically speaking. Is this a reference to the security zone Turkey would like to see in eastern Syria? A move which could force the Usrael Kurds to negotiate with Damascus. Which might explain why the US made such a show nearly a week ago demanding that Damascus negotiate with the Kurds?If Turkey moves the Usrael Kurds may have to accept very unfavourable terms? The outcome depends what the USrael appetite for war is with Turkey?Recall MKB? :
"Despite the US threat to take action against Turkey if it invaded the Kurdish regions of northern Syria, Turkey estimates that Trump cannot afford a shooting war with it in Syria.
Russia says again that northeast Syria should return to Damascus
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on Thursday that areas in northeastern Syria now under control of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) should return to Damascus. She claimed the situation is “aggravated by continuing clashes between Kurdish units and the Sunni Arabs that traditionally lived in these areas.”
Therefore, she said in a statement that Russia “supports restoring Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as a guarantee of ensuring the national security of its neighbours and achieving regional stability.”
Security zone on Turkish southern border to benefit Syria, says Putin
Creation of a security zone on the Turkish-Syrian border will help to maintain Syria’s territorial integrity, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference on the outcomes of the talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Putin noted that Turkey is under considerable strain, having received over 3 mln Syrian refugees
"We understand Turkey’s concern related to ensuring the security of its southern borders, and we think that these are lawful interests of the Republic of Turkey," Putin said.
"To our mind, the creation of a security zone on the southern border of the Republic of Turkey will serve as a good precondition for maintaining territorial integrity of Syria itself," the Russian president stressed
Thoughts?Recalling a Jerusalem Post oped featured here
" the end of the conflict may come at a price of fighting in eastern Syria for land that will merely be turned over to the Damascus in the long term."
Keeping in mind that Kurdish outlets were calling for Turkey to be "punished" by NATO.