Moscow, Ankara agree on Idlib, ceasefire must be implemented, this is Turkey's responsibility - Peskov
MOSCOW. May 31 (Interfax) - Moscow and Ankara agree that a ceasefire must be implemented in the Idlib de-escalation area in Syria; however, the Sochi agreements task Turkey with this responsibility, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the press on Friday.
One journalist marked a difference in emphasis regarding Idlib put by Moscow and Ankara during yesterday's phone call between the Russian and Turkish presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"We can't speak of any differences. A ceasefire must be implemented in Idlib and terrorists must be forced to stop firing at civilian targets and locations of our military, including the Hmeimim [airbase]," Peskov said.
"According to the Sochi agreements, this is the responsibility of the Turkish side," he said.
"The actions of our Turkish partners and cooperation between Russia and Turkey aimed at achieving these objectives are important," Peskov said.
As to whether Russia interprets the agreements as the need to stop the gunfire coming from the Idlib area, Peskov said, "Yes, above all." "Militants have grouped there [in Idlib] and they are on the offensive," he said.
Journalists asked a follow-up question of whether Turkey shared this opinion. "You should direct that question to our Turkish colleagues," Peskov said.