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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