Erdoğan says discussed steps for peace in Syria with Putin, Trump

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday that he had discussed with his U.S. and Russian counterparts potential steps for peace in Syria, after a series of phone calls in recent days.

Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers, Erdoğan said he had told both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that increasing tensions in the region was not right.

“The talks I held with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [U.S. President Donald] Trump were mainly focused on Syria. We evaluated the developments in Syria and talked about what could be done to ensure that peace prevails there soon. During these discussions, we focused on the point that together with ensuring peace, the tragedy in the region must also end,” Erdoğan said.

“The incident in Eastern Ghouta and Douma have been especially upsetting. They are tableaus of disaster. I had video recordings. I sent these videos especially to Putin with the special representative that was dispatched,” he added.

Dozens of people have died in what appears to be a chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta on Saturday.

Erdoğan also said that the current situation showed tensions had eased, but that he would continue his talks with his U.S. and Russian counterparts.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia on Wednesday of imminent military action in Syria over the poison gas attack, declaring that missiles "will be coming" and lambasting Moscow for standing by Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Trump was responding to a Russian warning that any U.S. missiles fired at Syria over the assault on an opposition enclave would be shot down and the launch sites targeted.

In another tweet on Thursday, Trump appeared to cast doubt on at least the timing of any U.S.-led military action. "Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!" it said.