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Russia Pins Blame on Turkey for First Time Over Syria Escalation

Russia Pins Blame on Turkey for First Time Over Syria Escalation

(Bloomberg) -- Russia directly accused Turkey for the first time of failing to abide by agreements in Syria’s Idlib, warning that the situation was being aggravated by the flow of Turkish troops into the province.

“We see the reason for the degradation in the chronic failure of Turkey to meet its obligations,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters at her regular briefing Wednesday. The situation has “escalated to the limits,” she said.

“The situation is significantly aggravated by the delivery of weapons and ammunition” through the Turkish-Syrian border “as well as columns of Turkish armored vehicles and troops,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Russia has been guarded in its comments until now on the escalating conflict in Idlib between Turkish and Syrian government forces, even as it has expressed concern about the deteriorating situation. Russia supports the Syrian forces in their attempt to crush Turkish-backed rebels and al-Qaeda militants.

Despite rising tensions in their relations, Russia and Turkey have maintained an uneasy partnership in Syria even as they have backed opposing sides. The Kremlin has previously urged Turkey to uphold accords signed by Moscow and Ankara that aimed to resolve the Idlib situation, while avoiding direct accusations.

The latest statements appear to signal a shift in Russia’s attitude following a phone call earlier Wednesday between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdogan.

To contact the reporters on this story: Ilya Arkhipov in Moscow at iarkhipov@bloomberg.net;Henry Meyer in Moscow at hmeyer4@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Gregory L. White at gwhite64@bloomberg.net, Tony Halpin, Paul Abelsky

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