The foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia, Iran and Syria may hold consultations in early May as part of Russia’s bid to help bring about a rapprochement between the Turkish and Syrian governments, Turkey’s foreign minister said on Monday, Reuters reported.

Turkey, a member of the NATO alliance, has been the main backer of the political and armed opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the 12-year civil war and has sent its own troops into large areas of the country’s north.

“The meeting will most likely take place in early May in Moscow,” Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told A Haber TV channel, adding that it could lead to a meeting of the leaders.

In December, the defense ministers of Syria and Turkey held negotiations at the highest level since the beginning of the war in Moscow.

Moscow is Assad’s main ally, and Russia is encouraging reconciliation with Ankara. But Damascus demands the complete withdrawal of Turkish troops to restore relations.