The Russian military police can be deployed in the buffer zone currently being created on the border between Syria and Turkey, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Sunday in an interview to Vietnam Television as well as China’s CCTV and Phoenix TV, Russian News Agency TASS reported.

Lavrov said that in 1998, Turkey and Syria had signed a document about setting up a buffer zone.

“It envisages an agreement on cooperation in eradicating the terrorist threat on the common border, including an opportunity for the Turkish side to carry out operations in certain border areas on the Syrian territory,” he added. “Right now, the final format of this buffer zone is undergoing adjustments with the participation of the military, and, naturally, with regard to the stance of Damascus and maximum possible account of Turkey’s interests.”

Russia’s top diplomat, however, said that the deal does not envisage joint military operations.

“In fact, we have the experience of deploying Russian military police to accompany on-the-ground agreements on ceasefire, security measures and de-escalation zones,” he added.