Broadcaster Haberturk cited Erdogan as telling reporters after a trip to Turkmenistan that he offered to Putin initiating a series of meetings between Turkey, Russia and Syria to revisit long-strained relations with Damascus.

“First our intelligence agencies, then defense ministers, and then foreign ministers could meet. After their meetings we as the leaders may come together. I offered it to Mr. Putin, and he has a positive view on it,” Erdogan was quoted as saying.

Erdogan has signaled readiness for rapprochement with Syria, saying that there should be no resentment in politics.

Erdogan's government backs rebel fighters who have tried to topple President Bashar al-Assad and earlier accused the Syrian leader of state terrorism, saying at the start of the conflict that peace efforts could not continue under his rule.

Assad accuses Turkey of supporting terrorism by backing a number of militants, including Islamist groups, and of repeated military incursions into northern Syria.

Reuters also reported earlier this month that Syria is resisting Russian efforts to broker a summit with Erdogan after more than a decade of bitter hostility since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war.

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