Alexander Lavrentiev, the special representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin for Syria, told the RIA news agency about the rapprochement between Turkey and Syria, Rador cites.

Oleksandr Lavrentiev clarified that Russia is ready to act as a mediator in starting negotiations at various levels between Syria and Russia.

The special representative of President Putin in Syria added: “Of course, we are ready to provide all possible support, act as a mediator to start discussions at various levels. If both sides want it, I think Moscow will be ready to provide a platform for discussions,” Cumhuriyet quotes.

“Special services regularly discuss”

Lavrentiev believes that the heads of the special services of Turkey and Syria should continue to meet, despite the escalation of tensions, and indicates that the rapprochement of Turkey and Syria is a priority for Putin.

The Russian ambassador continued: “Meetings and negotiations between the heads of the special services of the two countries take place on a regular basis.”

Lavrentiev also said that they have not received assurances from Turkey that it will not launch a ground operation in Syria, adding: “And there are no signs that they will hesitate to launch this operation either.”

When asked about the possibility of a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Erdoğan answered: “It is possible, there is no malice in politics. After all, progress is made when conditions are most favorable.”

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey’s air operations against Kurdish militias in northern Syria were just the beginning and that he would launch a ground operation there when the time was right, Reuters reported.

He said Turkey was more determined than ever to protect its southern border with a “security corridor” while ensuring the territorial integrity of both Syria and Iraq, where it has also been conducting operations against Kurdish militants.

Ankara launched the airstrikes late last week, saying it was in retaliation for an explosion in Istanbul a week earlier that killed six people, which authorities attributed to the YPG. No one has claimed responsibility, and the PKK and YPG deny involvement.