Putin says situation in Idlib 'under control'

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that the situation in the Syrian province of Idlib was "under control".

Commenting on the Syrian regime attack on a Turkish observation post in Idlib on Thursday, Putin said he discussed the issue at a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayip Erdogan. One Turkish soldier was martyred in the Syrian regime attack.

"As for our Turkish partners and friends, we work with them on a daily basis [in Syria]. We are aware of all the events taking place there and together we try to monitor them. We have discussed this issue and the situation is under control," Putin said at a news conference in Osaka, Japan where he came to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit.

The Bashar al-Assad regime forces attacked the 10th observation post in the Zawiya region with artillery and mortar fire.

Material damage was reported and the fire it caused is yet to be extinguished.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) sent reinforcements to the area on Friday night, as the area has been targeted several times by Assad regime forces over the past three months.

It was the sixth such attack near the observation post, with similar attacks by the regime having been reported on April 29, May 4, 12, 31, and June 8.

- "Businesslike, pragmatic meeting" with Trump

Turning to the meeting with the U.S. President Donald Trump, Putin said he had "businesslike, pragmatic" meeting with him.

According to the Russian president, the fate of the Ukrainian sailors, detained in the Kerch Strait during confrontation last November was one of the main topics at the meeting with Trump.

Late November 2018, Russia seized two Ukrainian navy ships and a navy tugboat along with 24 crew members for entering its waters in the Kerch Strait, and provoking conflict.

"We explained what is happening there, there is no decision yet, there is a trial, it is necessary to wait for the results, and then decide," Putin said.

As to the prolongation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, Putin said the two presidents instructed the foreign services to start consultations on the issue.

"Whether these consultations will lead to the extension of the START Treaty, I do not know yet, it is too early to say, but we also discussed this issue," he said.