The Kremlin is waiting for an explanation from the Turkish authorities after President Recep Erdogan stated on Nov. 29 that the aim of Turkey's military operation in Syria is to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"This is a very serious statement that generally diverges from previous ones, and a statement that differs significantly from our understanding of the situation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"We certainly hope that, in the near future, there will be some clarification on this matter from our Turkish partners," he added.
According to Peskov, Russia sees the Assad government and its armed forces as the only legitimate government within the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. He reminded his audience that the Russian armed forces currently in Syria are there with the agreement of the Syrian government.
Peskov also stated that, in a recent phone conversation between presidents Putin and Erdogan, there had been no mention of the goal of Turkey's Syrian military operation.
