Russia maintains close ties with the representatives of Iran and Turkey regarding the situation in Syria and does not rule out a trilateral meeting with corresponding colleagues regarding the settlement in this Arab republic, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters, TASS reports.

"We [i.e. Russia] are now in close, regular real-time contact with all the major players [on the situation in Syria], including representatives of Iran and Turkey. I cannot rule out anything. Such a meeting may not necessarily take place in Russia, keep in mind," said the Russian deputy FM, commenting on the prospects of trilateral meetings on the settlement in Syria. "Such a meeting cannot be ruled out."