Russian FM Lavrov has said that they understand both Turkey’s concerns about Syria and Kurds’ wishes.

President Erdoğan tackled the Afrin issue with Russia President Putin and Iran President Rouhani yesterday (February 19). The telephone calls were said to have emphasized the Astana process.

Concerning the reports indicating that Syrian army would enter Afrin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Çavuşoğlu has said, “If the [Syrian] regime enters [Afrin] to eliminate the YPG, there is no problem. However, if it is heading there to protect the YPG, then no one can stop us”.

Reuters citing a Kurdish official has reported that Syrian government coming to terms with the YPG will be deployed in critical positions near Afrin border.

Merkel has pointed out the urgency of the journalist’s situation while Yıldırım has asserted that all lawsuits including that of Deniz Yücel are receiving due process within the principles of a state of law.

President of Russia Putin and President Erdoğan have held a meeting on phone about Syria. It was decided in the meeting that cooperation between Iran, Russia and Turkey should continue.

France’s FM Jean-Yves Le Drian has told BFM TV Channel that international law “is being violated by Turkey, by the Damascus regime, by Iran and those who are attacking eastern Ghouta and Idlib.”

Mr. Niinistö was able to meet both Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump during his first tenure and of course all the important EU-leaders as well. He is seen as somebody, who can keep Finland safe during unsecure times next to Russia.

Syrian regime has installed new air defense systems in Aleppo and Idlib. As attack on observation post of Turkey in al-Eis jeopardizes the de-conflict zone, Pentagon reiterated that they won’t withdraw from Manbij.

As many as 100 artists and academics have sent an open letter to Chancellor of Germany Merkel and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabriel regarding Turkey’s Afrin offensive. The letter urges for government reaction against the offensive.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova has said that hundreds of people including civilians died in Operation Olive Branch during the past 10 days.

Interviewing to Le Figaro concerning Afrin operation, President of France Macron has warned Turkey about the operation not turning into an invasion. In response, PM Yıldırım has said, “France’s thought is flawed”.

The Green Party has submitted motion for arms export to be stopped to Turkey in protest of Afrin operation. The motion has been approved.

US CENTCOM Commander Votel has said that they will not withdraw from Manbij despite Erdoğan telling Trump "Withdraw your forces".

Spokesperson for US-led Anti-ISIS Coalition Dillon has said that the coalition forces will stay in Manbij and they expressed to Turkey “clearly” that their support to the SDF will continue.

Afrin Democratic Autonomous Government has stated that Afrin operation is a threat against civilians and Syria’s territorial integrity, and called on Syria to “fulfil its responsibilities for the protection of the region”.

US State Secretary Tillerson has answered that “We discussed a number of possible options, but we didn’t propose anything” a journalist asking whether the US proposed a safe zone.

Deputy FM of Syria Mekdad has interviewed BBC. “Syria has every right to respond to such offensive”, Mekdad said concerning Turkey's offensive into Afrin.

Saying that Turkey is an “aggressive neighbor” in his speech in Davos, Tsipras has stated, “it is very easy to be aggressive if your neighbors are Belgium and Luxembourg, and not Turkey. But it’s not so easy for us”.

Left Party of Germany Assembly Group Chair Wagenknecht has demanded that the Germany withdraw its soldiers assigned in NATO base from Konya in protest of Afrin operation.