Moscow does not believe that Ankara's new operation in northern Syria, which it claims to be aimed at the Kurdistan Workers' Party and its military wing, the YPG, will contribute to Syria's stability and security, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

On Monday, Turkish media reported that Ankara's troops have taken combat formation and are all set to start Turkey's fifth military operation on the northern Syrian border, which it claims is aimed at the Kurdistan Workers' Party and its military wing, the YPG.

Turkey's cross-border operation into Syria was reported as likely to kick off this week, with Ankara continuing to amass troops near the border and into the Tell Rifaat and Manbij region.

"We do not believe that this special operation will contribute to the stability and security of the Syrian Arab Republic," Peskov told reporters.

Moscow does not plan to recognize Taliban government soon

Peskov underlined that his country had no plan to recognize the Taliban government of Afghanistan.

"So far, it is not about that. We have repeated it several times. It makes no sense to make any predictions. There are many humanitarian problems that force many countries to enter into certain contacts," he told the press.

The Afghan delegation is participating in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that kicked off on Wednesday and will last through June 18.

In early September, the Taliban formed an interim government about a month after the fall of the former US-backed government, ending a 20-year-long US occupation of the country.

Putin, Xi held phone call

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, spokesperson Peskov revealed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping underlined that China was ready to support Russia in matters of sovereignty and security.