Russian, Turkish, Syrian, Iranian defense ministers hold talks in Moscow

Officials attend a meeting of defense ministers of Russia, Iran, Syria and Turkiye in Moscow on April 25, 2023. (Russian Defense Ministry via Reuters)

• All four countries reaffirm ‘desire to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity’

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held talks with the defense ministers of Turkiye, Syria and Iran on Tuesday as part of closely-watched negotiations in Moscow aimed at normalizing ties between Ankara and Damascus.
In a readout published after the meeting, Russia’s defense ministry said all four countries had reaffirmed their “desire to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and the need to intensify efforts for the speedy return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.”