Putin to meet Turkey PM Erdogan over Syria

Zeenews Bureau

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin will be meeting Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Monday to discuss the Syrian crisis. The meeting between the two leaders is significant as Russia is known for its proximity to Syria, while Turkey is backing the rebels trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad. Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that resolving world problems by force, as the US is trying to do, does not work. Israeli President Shimon Peres last month said Russia can stop the bloodshed in Syria and bring peace to the Middle East. “I believe Russia and you have an important role: you can stop the bloodshed in Syria and bring peace and security not only to Syria but also to the Middle East," he said. The West is pushing for President Bashar Al Assad`s ouster while Russia and China are trying to prevent outside interference in Syria. They maintain that the Assad regime and the opposition are both to blame for the bloodshed. Veto-wielding Moscow and Beijing have thrice blocked sanctions resolutions on Syria. Anti-government rebels have been locked in a protracted civil war with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad`s regime. According to the UN, nearly 40,000 have died since the fighting began in March 2011.