Turkey is "heading in the wrong direction" with its incursion into Syria and deal with Russia to jointly patrol a "safe zone" there, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper warned Thursday.

Turkey heading in wrong direction with Syria incursion: US defence secretary Mark Esper

A day after Russian President Putin and Turkey President Erdogan struck an agreement to remove YPG militants from the Turkish border, US President Donald Trump hailed the move declaring that the "Kurds are safe and have worked nicely with us".

Big success on Turkey-Syria border, safe zone created: Trump

The Kremlin on Wednesday accused Washington of betraying the Kurds by withdrawing its forces from northern Syria and leaving allies alone in the face of a Turkish offensive.

Russian forces heading to Turkey border after Putin-Erdogan agreement: Report

Turkey President Erdogan met Russian President Putin in Sochi today amid growing tensions in Syria as the two leaders hoped to resolve the "complicated issues in the region".

Turkey's President Erdogan meets Russian President Putin in Sochi

Hope to find answers to all complicated questions: Putin after meeting Erdogan in Sochi

The last meeting between Russia's Vladimir Putin, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place in Iran in September.

Russia to host Putin-Erdogan-Rouhani summit on Syria

'Your visit today indicates we all want to restart dialogue and restore relations,' Putin said after the two leaders shook hands