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Turkey's Erdogan Says Putin Is 'Occupier' in Syria

Turkish President Recep Erdogan has described Russian President Vladimir Putin as an "occupier" in Syria, the Bloomberg news agency reported Monday.

"What are you [Putin] doing in Syria? You're essentially an occupier," Erdogan said in comments published by the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper, Bloomberg reported.

Erdogan's comments came after the recent suspension of a UN-hosted peace conference on Syria in Geneva. The conference was adjourned due to the recent offensive of Syrian government forces against rebels near Aleppo.

Last week Erdogan proposed a meeting with Putin to discuss the latest developments in the relationship between the two countries, but Putin turned down the offer.

The Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

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