Russia, Turkey to Discuss ‘New Sochi’ Agreement in Ankara

An aerial view taken on February 6, 2020 shows smoke billowing from tires burnt by Syrians in an attempt to hinder airstrikes amid clashes between opposition fighters and regime forces in Idlib's Binnish town. (AFP Photo)
An aerial view taken on February 6, 2020 shows smoke billowing from tires burnt by Syrians in an attempt to hinder airstrikes amid clashes between opposition fighters and regime forces in Idlib's Binnish town. (AFP Photo)
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Russia, Turkey to Discuss ‘New Sochi’ Agreement in Ankara

An aerial view taken on February 6, 2020 shows smoke billowing from tires burnt by Syrians in an attempt to hinder airstrikes amid clashes between opposition fighters and regime forces in Idlib's Binnish town. (AFP Photo)
An aerial view taken on February 6, 2020 shows smoke billowing from tires burnt by Syrians in an attempt to hinder airstrikes amid clashes between opposition fighters and regime forces in Idlib's Binnish town. (AFP Photo)

A Russian delegation is expected to propose to Turkey on Saturday a new version of the 2018 Sochi Agreement, which stipulates a ceasefire between the regime and opposition factions in the de-escalation zone of Syria’s Idlib province.

The Russian amendments include the drawing of new lines in the area and the separation of moderate factions from the extremists in northwestern Syria.

On Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a press conference in Slovakia’s capital Bratislava that “according to recent information, a delegation led by Russian Foreign Ministry officials will visit Turkey tomorrow for talks.”

The FM reiterated that his country would do whatever is needed to stop a humanitarian catastrophe in Syria’s northwest.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said Friday, “We have an important deal with our partners, the Turks, to clearly set the system in the de-escalation zone in Idlib.”

He explained that Ankara had previously pledged to separate the armed opposition from the “terrorists” of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

“Unfortunately, terrorists still control the situation in the Idlib area. At the end, we should implement this pledge,” the Russian FM said.

On Thursday, Turkey’s presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that changing borders of Idlib’s de-escalation zone, as determined by the Astana and Sochi agreements, is out of question.

He reiterated that Turkey's 12 observations points in northwestern Syria will remain in their places.

In September 2018, Turkey and Russia agreed to establish the zone in Idlib where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

However, this deal was often violated by the Syrian regime and its allies.

Separately, the Russian Defense Ministry on Friday strongly criticized Israel for nearly shooting down a passenger jetliner in Syria during a missile strike on the suburbs of Damascus a day earlier.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said the strike was carried around 2 am local time Thursday.

He said four Israeli F-16 fighter jets hit the suburbs of Damascus with eight missiles without taking into account that a passenger plane with 172 civilians on board was preparing to land in the city’s airport around the same time.



Trump Says He Hopes for Gaza Deal within a Week

US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washinton, DC, on July 13, 2025 after attending the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washinton, DC, on July 13, 2025 after attending the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
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Trump Says He Hopes for Gaza Deal within a Week

US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washinton, DC, on July 13, 2025 after attending the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washinton, DC, on July 13, 2025 after attending the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)

US President Donald Trump said Sunday he hoped talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will be "straightened out" this week.

The US is backing a 60-day ceasefire with a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and talks to end the conflict. Trump told reporters, "We are talking and hopefully we're going to get that straightened out over the next week."

On Sunday, Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 32 people, including six children at a water collection point, while the Palestinian death toll passed 58,000 after 21 months of war, local health officials said.
Israel and Hamas appeared no closer to a breakthrough in indirect talks meant to pause the war and free some Israeli hostages after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Washington visit last week. A sticking point has emerged over Israeli troops ' deployment during a ceasefire.
Israel says it will end the war only once Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into exile, something it refuses to do. Hamas says it is willing to free all the remaining 50 hostages, about 20 said to be alive, in exchange for the war's end and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.