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Russia stands for negotiating solutions — diplomat about Turkey operation in Syria, Iraq

It is necessary to analyze the situation, Mikhail Bogdanov said

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Moscow has always been standing for "negotiating solutions," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Sunday, commenting on Turkey’s air operation in northern Syria and Iraq.

"It is necessary to analyze [the situation], because we have always been favoring negotiating solutions, the more so as there have been contacts with all the countries involved [in the settlement effort], first of all with our Turkish colleagues," he told TASS.

When asked whether Ankara had notified Moscow about its operation, Bogdanov noted that Turkey "has been planning it for a long time and has been speaking about it."

"It is necessary to find a political solution, to speak on a basis acceptable for all, bearing in mind that what matters most is mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity between Syria and Turkey.

The new Turkey’s operation, dubbed Claw-Sword, was conducted in Syria and Iraq and involved artillery units, more than 50 warplanes and 20 drones. Strikes were delivered at the places of deployment of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and People's Defense Units.

According to Turkey’s defense ministry, the operation was successfully conducted in the Qandil, Asos, Haruk neighborhoods in northern Iraq, and in northern Syria’s Arap Pynary, Tell Rifat, Jizra, and Derik.