Special to WorldTribune.com
Turkish troops have entered Syrian territory, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Lavrov, in comments to Ren-TV on March 13, said Moscow has evidence that Ankara has sent troops to Syria and is conducing a “creeping expansion” on the border with Syria.
Related: Erdogan denies reports Turkey is secretly collaborating with ISIL
Turkey has said that it would join Saudi Arabia in sending troops to Syira as part of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). Russia responded by warning Turkey and Saudi Arabia that following through on that pledge would cause a “world war.”
The European Union’s foreign policy chief last month warned that the conflict risks spilling over into a “hot war” between Russia and Turkey.
Lavrov also said Moscow will demand that the UN invite Kurdish representatives to Syria peace talks despite Turkey’s vehement opposition.
Meanwhile, the Russian foreign minister said Moscow is open to coordinating military actions in Syria with the U.S. to recapture the city of Raqqa, ISIL’s de facto capital.