MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Hill, who is a Republican member of the House of Representatives, is attending a session of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Moscow. A delegation of US lawmakers is visiting Moscow for the first time in three years.
"Turkey has a concern with [Syrian President Bashar] Assad staying in power, it is a cornerstone of their views about the Syrian situation. At the same time the Erdogan government has tried to cooperate in terms of border security and military support for our efforts to take action there. So I want Turkey to continue a constructive role vis a vis Syria and not be a hinder to a solution in Syria, and I suspect that ultimately they will help," Hill said.
Turkey's stance on Syria is noted by its uncompromising insistence of removing Assad from power during the country's transition period, as well as blocking Kurdish participation in the peace talks in Geneva.
Turkey has also been accused by Syrian authorities of sponsoring Daesh terrorist group. In December, Russia presented evidence of oil smuggling by the group across the border with Turkey, while the United States accused Turkey of failing to secure its border with Daesh-controlled Syrian territories.
