Turkey, Russia strike truce deal on Syria: report

Russia and Turkey have brokered a plan for a cease-fire in Syria, according to the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency.

Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said that while text for a truce is ready, a “political transition” is not possible regarding Syrian President Bashar Assad.

“There are two texts ready on a solution in Syria. One is about a political resolution and the other is about a cease-fire. They can be implemented any time,” Cavusoglu said Wednesday, Reuters reported.

“The whole world knows it is not possible for there to be a political transition with Assad, and we also all know that it is impossible for these people to unite around Assad.”

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The Anadolu report said that Turkey and Russia will try to enforce the deal by Wednesday at midnight, though terrorist organizations will not be included. 

But a rebel official who spoke to Reuters said talks between Turkey and the opposition groups will carry on through this week.

“The details of the cease-fire deal have yet to be officially presented to the factions, and there is no agreement so far,” another rebel official told Reuters.

Turkey and Russia have been on opposite sides of the war in Syria, with Russia providing military aid to the Assad regime and Turkey backing rebel opposition groups.

Turkey, Russia and Iran met in Moscow last week for talks about the war in Syria, which has raged for more than five years. 

Earlier in December, Russia’s ambassador to Turkey was assassinated in Ankara by a gunman shouting pro-Syrian rebel slogans. Turkey and Russia both claimed the incident was intended to drive a wedge between the two, who have enjoyed warming relations in recent months.