ANKARA, January 25. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ruled out the possibility of UN involvement in efforts to create a safe zone in northern Syria.
"Looking at numerous examples, we see that the UN is unable to do anything when it comes to setting up a safe zone. Turkey is the only force that can do that," the Turkish leader said on Friday in the city of Erzurum. His speech was broadcast by the NTV television channel.
Erdogan also noted that Turkey counted on the actual control on the territory of the proposed buffer zone. "We state that we are closed to any other proposals in this matter. Whatever the price for that, we are ready to pay it," the president emphasized.
On January 15, Erdogan confirmed his plans to set up a buffer zone in northern Syria following talks with US President Donald Trump. According to the Turkish president, Ankara is ready to safeguard security on the ground, and the US - in the airspace.
Later on, Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin noted that, if a buffer zone was created, it would be controlled by Turkey.
The discussion on creating a buffer zone in Syria began in 2013. The option of a no-fly zone and a safe zone on Syrian soil where refugees could hide was considered at that time. Ankara has raised the issue on numerous occasioins.
