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Washington's Message to Turkey: 'Don't Expect NATO to Rescue You in Syria'

© AFP 2023 / ARIS MESSINISTurkish soldiers on a tank sit opposite the Syrian town of Ain al-Arab, known as Kobane by the Kurds, at the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Turkish village of Mursitpinar, Sanliurfa province (File)
Turkish soldiers on a tank sit opposite the Syrian town of Ain al-Arab, known as Kobane by the Kurds, at the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Turkish village of Mursitpinar, Sanliurfa province (File) - Sputnik International
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The ceasefire deal worked out by Russia and the United States indicates that Washington does not intend to help Turkey, should it decide to send ground forces to Syria and accidentally clash with Russia, former US diplomat Jim Jatras told RT.

"Washington has made it clear to Ankara that 'you guys are on your own and if you are stupid enough to send your forces into Syria and you get hit by the Russians, don't expect NATO to come to the rescue,'" he observed.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) chats with Russia's President Vladimir Putin prior to a working session at the Group of 20 (G20) leaders summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Turkey, November 16, 2015 - Sputnik International
US-Russian Deal on Syria Ceasefire: 'A Diplomatic Victory for Both Sides'
European members of the North Atlantic Alliance appear to share this sentiment. Last week, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn told Der Spiegel that the bloc could not "allow itself to be pulled into a military escalation with Russia" resulting from recent tensions between Moscow and Ankara.

An unnamed German diplomat also confirmed that NATO was not "going to pay the price for a war started by the Turks."

© AP Photo / Halit Onur SandalTurkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis town toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey.
Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis town toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey. - Sputnik International
Turkish artillery fire from the border near Kilis town toward northern Syria, in Kilis, Turkey.

Jatras also mentioned that Ankara and Riyadh could have inadvertently helped Russia and the United States to ink the deal on the cessation of hostilities in Syria.

"I think one reason this agreement came … is because the Turks and the Saudis for the last few weeks have been making a lot of noise about their willingness to intervene on the ground in Syria to save – let's face it — their terrorist assets there, but only if the Americans led the way," he noted.

Both Turkey and Saudi Arabia have claimed that they are ready to take part in the US-led ground offensive to tackle Daesh, but many have questioned their true intentions. After all, Ankara and Riyadh have long supported anti-Assad radicals, who are trying to establish an Islamic caliphate in Syria.

Turkish army's tanks at the Turkey-Iraq border (File) - Sputnik International
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In addition, many have warned that the Syrian battlefield is already overcrowded. Additional ground forces would only escalate violence instead of helping to end it.

Jatras further said that Russia's military engagement in Syria has been instrumental in offering the war-torn country hope that the five-year-long conflict could be resolved.

"There would not even be a chance of a viable ceasefire if it was not for the Russian air campaign in Syria and the advances made by the Syrian Army, with Russian support, which has essentially forced the various terrorist groups supported by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and – let's be honest about it – by the United States, into a very precarious position where they are essentially suing for peace," he asserted.

© Photo : Russian Defence MinistryEveryday life of the Russian air group at the Hmeymim airfield in Syria
Everyday life of the Russian air group at the Hmeymim airfield in Syria - Sputnik International
Everyday life of the Russian air group at the Hmeymim airfield in Syria
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