Kerry discusses Syria with Turkish FM ahead of visit to Moscow

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have discussed recent developments surrounding the Syrian conflict, as the latter will visit Russia next week to discuss the Syria crisis.

Kerry called Çavuşoğlu in order to extend his condolences over the car suicide bomb attack that killed at least 35 people in the capital city of Ankara on March 13, Turkish diplomatic sources said late March 15.

During the conversation “actual developments concerning Syria” were also discussed, the sources, speaking under customary condition of anonymity, said.

Also on March 15, speaking in Washington, Kerry said he will visit Russia next week to discuss the Syria crisis, after Moscow began withdrawing most of its forces from the country.

Kerry said he would hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to “try to take advantage of this moment,” which he described as the best opportunity in years to end the bloodshed.  

Russia’s withdrawal has spurred hopes for peace talks being held in Geneva to try to end Syria’s brutal five-year conflict, which has killed more than 270,000 people and displaced millions. Putin ordered the “main part” of Russia’s forces out of Syria on March 14, but pledged to keep some air and naval bases in the war-torn nation.