Russia, Iran, Turkey agree US troop pullout will yield positive effect - Putin

SOCHI, February 14. /TASS/. The presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey have agreed that the US troop pullout from Syria will yield a positive result, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after a trilateral summit. "The negotiations concerned, among other things, the likely effects on the situation of the US plans for the withdrawal of troops from the northeastern areas of the country," Putin said. "We are unanimous that the implementation of such plans would be a positive step that would help stabilize the situation in this part of Syria, where the control of the legitimate government is to be eventually restored." The negotiations concerned humanitarian aid to Syrians and promotion of the refugees’ return to their homes. Putin said that conditions for the accommodation of up to 1.5 million refugees had been created with support from Russia, Iran and Turkey. "However, fundamental improvement of the state of affairs in Syria, the elimination of social problems and an economic recovery will require joint efforts by the international community," Putin said. "We are calling upon all counties and international organizations concerned, in the first place, the United Nations, to step up assistance to Syrians in returning life to normal and eliminating the effects of the armed conflict." The Russian leader thanked Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for "meaningful and productive talks." "I am certain that the results of the summit will promote further productive work for the sake of the restoration of peace and stabilization of the situation in Syria," he said. Read more