Russia does not need mediators in negotiations with the Syrian opposition, Sputnik news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, The Financial Times newspaper reported that Syrian opposition leaders were in Turkey-mediated negotiations with Moscow on cessation of hostilities in Aleppo, which did not involve the United States, citing the representatives of the opposition.

"We do need mediators with the Syrian opposition. We have direct contacts," Bogdanov told reporters, commenting on reports claiming that Russia and Turkey were in talks with the opposition without US involvement. 

The Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) earlier in the day as well refuted the reports of alleged Turkey-mediated talks between the Syrian opposition and Russia on the cessation of hostilities in Aleppo.

Source: MENA