UPDATE - Türkiye urges Russia to fulfill pledges on YPG/PKK terrorists' withdrawal from Syria

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS FROM THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT, MINOR EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye and Russia held political consultations in Istanbul on Thursday and Friday, and addressed regional issues as Ankara reiterated its expectation from Moscow on its pledges regarding the withdrawal of PKK/YPG terrorists from Syria, an official statement said on Saturday.

Delegations headed by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal and his Russian counterpart Sergey Vershinin addressed bilateral ties, UN reform, the Black Sea grain export deal, as well as regional issues such as Syria, Libya, and Palestine, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

During the talks, Onal noted the importance of maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and political unity as well as the necessity of reaching a political solution to the crisis, which began from the 2011 civil war.

Türkiye reiterated its determination in its counter-terrorism efforts against the PKK/YPG/PYD terror group and conveyed its expectation from Russia to fulfill the provisions of the 2019 memorandum of understanding on PKK/YPG terrorists in Syria.

Last month, Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword in northern Iraq and Syria – a cross-border aerial campaign against the PKK/YPG terror group – which has hideouts across the Iraqi and Syrian borders from where they plan and sometimes execute attacks on Turkish soil.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the terror group’s Syrian offshoot.

"The vital role of the extension of the UN’s cross-border aid mechanism for Syria to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to more than 4 million people in need was reaffirmed. Benefits of the ongoing implementation of the crossline assistance were also recognized," the statement said.

On the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the two officials exchanged views on the deal's full implementation.

"The importance of the continuation of the agreement that ensured shipment of more than 13 million tons of grain to world markets through the Black Sea and facilitation of the export of Russian grain and fertilizer was emphasized," read the statement.

The Turkish side also highlighted the need to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, underlining the "importance of resuming negotiations for a just and sustainable solution, and to this end reiterated its readiness to offer all manner of support."

The political process in Libya was also addressed, and support was expressed for holding fair, free and credible elections on the basis of broadest social consensus.

"The Turkish side stressed the importance of avoiding provocations and ending activities that breach international agreements, in order to sustain peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean," it said.

The "need for reform at the UN was also addressed during the meeting," and the Turkish side underscored its position that the composition and decision-making mechanisms of the intergovernment organization, in particular the Security Council, should be reconfigured from a more comprehensive, just and effective standpoint.