The US is now pulling out of Syria - a process expected to take place over the next few months.

Turkey has pushed for the creation of a 32-kilometer (20-mile) zone to serve as a buffer and ensure that the Syrian Kurdish militia - The People's Protection Units, or YPG, which Turkey considers to be a terrorist group for its ties to outlawed Kurdish rebels inside Turkey - is kept away from the Turkish border after USA troop withdrawal from Syria.

Syrian Kurdish forces, exposed by Trump's pledge to withdraw USA troops, recently asked the Syrian government for help against the threatened Turkish offensive and have opened the gates to Manbij, the key northern city under Kurdish control.

Since 2016, Turkey's Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in northwestern Syria have liberated the region, including Al-Bab, Afrin and Azaz, of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists, making it possible for Syrians who fled violence there to return home.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan lead their respective delegations at the talks in Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, January 23, 2019.

The two presidents underlined the importance of the withdrawal of US military from Syria.

"What is crucial here is to not allow the creation of a power vacuum after the withdrawal of USA forces", Erdogan said at the press conference.

He also said that he and Erdogan spoke about how to fight terrorist organizations in Idlib and stabilize the region through better coordination and "additional measures".

Russian Federation provides critical support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, while Turkey has backed opposition fighters who are battling against Syrian government forces.

The United States armed the YPG in the war against ISIS and said it was not a terror group.

Turkey fears any deal between the Syrian government and the YPG in the border area as well as in the strategic town of Manbij, under which the Kurdish militia would remain a threat to Turkey's security.

The two heads of state also discussed the Astana format, which remains the "most effective mechanism" for settling the conflict in Syria, Putin said.

Putin and Erdogan called each other "dear friend", hailing the close ties between their countries and their importance for regional security.

"I think this is the legal framework that covers many issues relating to ensuring Turkey's security on its southern borders", Putin stated, noting that the two leaders discussed the issue "thoroughly and intensively".

Meanwhile, Russia has been supportive of Damascus regaining control of territories after USA troops withdraw and has backed dialogue between the Syrian government and the Kurdish militia.

Last September, Putin and Erdogan struck a de-escalation deal on Idlib that averted the Syrian offensive that sparked fears of a humanitarian catastrophe.

"The cessation of hostilities mustn't hurt the fight against terrorism that should continue", the Russian leader said.

Russian Federation and Turkey both appear anxious for the U.S.to leave Syria so that they can lead efforts on the ground.

Putin noted that the three countries sent to Antonio Guterres a letter in which they asked him to tell then UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to not approve the list of candidates for the committee presented by Russia, Turkey and Iran.