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Russian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov has responded to Turkey’s statement of “YPG (People’s Protection Units) should be excluded from the truce” and US’ statement of “Plan B”.
Respond to Turkey
The Vice FM has commentated on Turkey’s statement regarding YPG as “Nonsense”. Finally President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had noted; “PYD (Democratic Union Party) and YPG should be excluded from the scope of the truce just like DAİŞ (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is.
Bogdanov has noted that attempts for establishing a buffer zone on the Syrian-Turkish border or blocks for a land operation to Syria had been “alarming” and added “These steps deepen Syrian crisis”.
Meanwhile YPG also declared today (February 25) that they would abide by the truce to be in effect as of February 27 but reserve their rights to react within the scope of their legitimate self defence right.
CLICK - YPG: ‘WILL ABIDE BY THE TRUCE’
Respond on Plan B
Bogdanov has also emphasized that they had not been having any negotiations on setting up any alternative plan for the truce in Syria. “We have neither any knowledge of this plan, nor having negotiations on such alternative plans”.
US Secretary of State John Kerry had expressed yesterday that in case temporary truce is not actualized, partition of Syria could be part of plan B.
CLICK - KERRY HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF TRUCE AGREEMENT IN SYRIA
Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the other hand had stated that they were “determined to protect the territorial integrity of Syria”.
Respond to FSA
Bogdanov has responded to the remarks of some commanders of Free Syrian Army (FSA) that they would also not agree on the truce in case the truce in Syria would not include Al Nusra as “That means we will bomb [them]. I think we will bomb those who do not join the truce together with the US. This is stated in our joint declaration”. (HK/DG)