Syrian President Bashar Assad expressed openness to initiatives aimed at improving Syria-Türkiye relations, emphasizing that such efforts must respect Syria’s sovereignty and focus on combating terrorism. Assad made these remarks during a meeting with Alexander Lavrentiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special representative, in Damascus.

Lavrentiev reaffirmed Russia’s support for normalizing relations between Syria and Türkiye, noting that current conditions are more favorable for successful mediation. He emphasized Russia’s commitment to advancing negotiations between the two countries.

Diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Syria were severed in 2012 following the onset of the Syrian civil war.