• Belarus refuses to ‘integrate’ with Russia until oil issues are resolved

    There is no point in working on road maps for Belarus' integration with Russia until the oil issues are resolved, stated the Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei, as cited by BelTA.

    "Let's first solve the issue with oil supplies, and then we will continue to think," Makei suggested.

    Earlier, Russian and Belarusian presidents Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko decided to create an intergovernmental working group on the development of integration. It was planned that 31 roadmaps …

  • Erdogan: Turkey will deploy Russian S-300 air defense systems in April

    Ankara, which is fighting in Idlib with the Syrian army, requested patriot air defense systems from the American authorities, confirmed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    At the same time, the Turkish President stressed that the country will not give up the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems purchased from the Russian Federation. They will be put on combat duty in April, the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak quotes Erdogan as saying. …

  • Despite Putin-Erdogan ceasefire agreement fighting continues in Idlib

    Despite the ceasefire agreement, fighting between government forces and their adversaries continues in the Syrian province of Idlib, killing at least 15 Syrian soldiers and militants, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.

    According to the SOHR, the Russian and Syrian military aviation stopped strikes on the province in the northwest of the country. Much of Idlib has been "tensely" calm, said SOHR’s head Rami Abdul Rahman.

    Meanwhile, the European Union welcomed the truce …

  • Erdogan and Putin agree on ceasefire in Syria

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reached an agreement aimed at ending fighting in Syria's Idlib province.

    After talks in Moscow on Thursday, the two leaders announced a truce that will take effect in the region at midnight.

    "Our task is to prevent the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region. We will make every effort to provide the necessary assistance to all those in need, and we will also ensure that refugees return to their homes," …

  • Turkey refuses to recognize April elections to Syrian parliament

    Turkey will not recognize the elections to the Syrian parliament, which the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, wants to hold in April this year, said Turkish presidential advisor Ibrahim Kalin, as cited by Anadolu agency.

    He noted that the upcoming elections will not be legitimate for Ankara, Damascus or the international community.

    The day before, Assad signed a decree to hold elections to the People's Council (unicameral parliament) of the country on April 13, 2020.

    The conflict between …