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Conflict in Syria

Russian diplomat says Turkey shut window of opportunity for constructive dialogue on Syria

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharov, Moscow has "started open discussions with Turkey along the Syrian settlement track"

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova Mikhail Japaridze/TASS

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova

© Mikhail Japaridze/TASS

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Turkey has shut down the window of opportunity for a constructive dialogue on Syria, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Wednesday.

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"Our stance [on Syria] has not changed before, during or after the incident with the Russian bomber," she said. "We had different opinions over a number of regional issues with Turkey, but we maintained interaction with the Turkish counterparts in attempts to narrow differences."

"One of the effects of that incident [involving Russia’s Sukhoi-24 plane] was we have started open discussions with Turkey along the Syrian settlement track," Zakharova said. "Before, we were saying everything outright, but behind closed doors, acting in a way a partner should do. But after what we’ve seen - after the shooting down of the Sukhoi-24 and after Ankara’s terrible rhetoric - Turkey has shut the window of opportunity for a constructive dialogue."

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Foreign policy Russian Foreign Ministry Syria Syrian conflict

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