Russia, Turkey agree on borders of Idlib's demilitarized zone, says Lavrov

Russian and Turkish armies have reached an agreement on the border of the demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

Turkey's defense ministry confirmed Lavrov's statement later on Friday, noting that the borders were agreed upon in meetings with a Russian committee.

The borders were agreed taking into account the area's geographical structure and residential areas, the ministry said, adding that the meetings were held between Sept. 19-21 at Turkey's defence ministry.

Lavrov also said that the United States' control over the eastern bank of the Euphrates river posed the main threat to Syria's territorial integrity.

Ankara and Moscow signed an agreement Monday that calls for the demilitarization of Idlib, following a summit in Russia's coastal Black Sea town of Sochi.

Opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area to prevent any renewal of fighting.

Located near the Turkish border, Idlib is home to more than 3 million Syrians, many of whom fled to other cities following attacks by Assad regime forces.

Last month, the regime announced plans to launch a major military offensive in Idlib, Syria’s last opposition stronghold.

Russia is working on ways to lower its dependence on the United States and the dollar system, Lavrov said, addressing the issue of U.S. sanctions.

"We are already drawing conclusions, doing all necessary not to depend on those countries that are acting that way with their international partners," Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying. Speaking during a visit to Sarajevo, Lavrov also said that new U.S. sanctions undermine global trust in the U.S. dollar.