Ankara is ready to discuss the Syrian civil war settlement with Russia and Iran, Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday.

ANKARA (Sputnik) – According to Davutoglu, the intention to cooperate on the issue does not mean that Ankara shares Russia's position on Syrian President Bashar Assad who Moscow considers to be the legitimate power in Syria.

"Unfortunately, Russia has refused to join the [US-led international] coalition against the Islamic State, but we remain open to holding talks with Russia and Iran on the Syrian settlement," Davutoglu said in an interview with NTV channel.

Russia started airstrikes on ISIL positions in Syria, coordinated with Iran, Iraq and Syria, on September 30 at Assad’s request. Moscow continues to support a political settlement to the four-year civil war in Syria.
The Turkish prime minister added that Russian anti-ISIL airstrikes in Syria’s Aleppo and Idlib governorates could further increase the number of refugees arriving in Turkey.
A US-led coalition has been bombing ISIL targets since 2014 without the permission of Assad or the UN Security Council.

By Sputnik