PARIS (Sputnik) – French President Francois Hollande called for a de-escalation in Syria on Friday to avoid a potential war between Russia and Turkey.
"There is a risk of war between Turkey and Russia. It is necessary to do everything possible to avoid an escalation," Hollande said in an interview with France Inter radio.
France urges the early resumption of talks between Syrian government and opposition delegates, a cessation of hostilities and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population, he added.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Moscow planned to request a UN Security Council meeting given its concerns of possible plans by Turkey to send troops to Syria.
The meeting is scheduled to be held at 20:00 GMT.
Earlier in February, Russian Defense Ministry said that Ankara's activity on the Turkish-Syrian border pointed to intensive preparation for a military incursion in Syria. Later, media reports emerged claiming that Saudi Arabia could deploy ground troops to Syria in likely coordination with Turkey against terrorist groups.