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Sunday, February 23, 2020, 11:03
Erdogan, Putin, Merkel, Macron to meet March 5 on Idlib
By Bloomberg
Sunday, February 23, 2020, 11:03 By Bloomberg

Turkish Military's armoured vehicles that crossed to Syria drive pass in a road in village of Aaqrabate on Feb 22, 2020 in Idlib, Syria. (BURAK KARA/GETTY IMAGES VIA BLOOMBERG)

The Turkish, Russian, German and French leaders will meet on March 5 to try to find a solution to the crisis in the city of Idlib as Turkey and Russian-backed Syrian forces risk confrontation in the region.

Following phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that he will meet them all on March 5, without disclosing the location. 

READ MORE: Turkey edges towards direct conflict with Russian-backed Syria

While Turkey insists it will avoid any confrontation with Russian forces, the pressure on Erdogan to respond is rising as the toll of Turkish casualties mounts

As Turkey slides toward war, Ankara has appealed to the US and its European allies for support in a conflict that risks undermining the friendly ties he’s built with Moscow.

Turkey wants an end to intensifying attacks by Russian-backed Syrian forces in the country’s last rebel stronghold of Idlib, where one-time al-Qaeda militants as well as Turkey-backed rebels are holed up. Russia has in turn accused Turkey of failing to abide by agreements to ease hostilities, warning that the flow of Turkish troops was aggravating the situation.

Erdogan has threatened to use force before the end of February if Syrian fighters don’t pull back from areas surrounding Turkish military outposts in Idlib. 

ALSO READ: Turkey seeks US patriot missiles to deter Russia in Syria

While Turkey insists it will avoid any confrontation with Russian forces, the pressure on Erdogan to respond is rising as the toll of Turkish casualties mounts.

Another Turkish soldier died Saturday en route to the hospital after being wounded by Syrian tank fire in Idlib, taking the total toll of Turkish casualties to 17 in February alone.

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