Kurds are entitled to a role in every political process in Syria as part of the multi-ethnic nation, Putin told reporters in answer to a question about his stance on the Kurdish groups in Rojava – the PYD and the armed PYG.
“They have the right to find their place in the future of Syria,” said Putin, adding that no political solution can result if all stakeholders in the country are not a part of the process.
And as for who is entitled to participate in the political process, “that is up to the Syrian people only,” he added.
In the same press conference, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the two had discussed Turkey’s military operation in Afrin.
Kurdish leaders in Rojava blame Russia for giving Turkey the green light for its military offensive on the isolated canton in northwestern Syria.
Both presidents stressed their intention to continue working together to counter terrorism in Syria. Erdogan said they are in constant dialogue with Moscow on Syria.
Putin is in Turkey on a two-day visit.
On Tuesday, the presidents attended a ground breaking ceremony for Turkey’s first nuclear power station.
At the ceremony for the Akkuyu nuclear power station, Putin hailed the creation of a new industry in Turkey.
“The successful implementation of this project will become a symbol of the dynamic and consistent development of Russian-Turkish interaction, partnership and friendship,” he said.
On Wednesday, they will be joined by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss the situation in Syria.
Russia, Turkey, and Iran are coordinating in Syria through the Astana de-escalation process. Moscow and Tehran are backing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad while Ankara is one of Assad’s harshest critics.
As he departed for Ankara, Rouhani said that foreign forces present in Syria without the permission of Damascus must leave as they are in the country illegally, IRNA reported.
Speaking on his arrival in Ankara, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif condemned US presence in Syria.
The United States is allied with Kurdish forces in northern Syria and leading coalition efforts in the war against ISIS.
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