Moscow calls on EU not to support Turkey’s plans of safety zones in Syria

Russia calls on the European Union (EU) to refrain from supporting Turkey’s plans to establish safe zones for refugees in Syria, Russia’s Ambassador to EU told Die Welt newspaper in an interview published on Thursday.

"Turkey’s assistance in establishing safe enclaves will violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. This will hardly contribute to strengthening EU’s right to be a more independent and responsible player in the Middle East," the diplomat added, TASS reported.

He also warned EU against attempts to support Turkey’s plans "in exchange for Ankara’s help in the matter of reducing migrant flows to EU."