First of all, the operation's required for Turkish Air Force to entered on Syria's airspace--something Ankara could not have done without consulting Russia, and before Rechannelling Turkish- backed Free Syrian Army forces to Afrin, Ankara needed assurances from Russia-that Bashar al-Assad would did not take advantage of the situation and attempted to seize Turkish-controlled positions them in the province of Idlib.
First of all, the operation required the Turkish Air Force to enter Syria's airspace - something Ankara could not have done without consulting Russia. Furthermore, before rechannelling Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces to Afrin, Ankara needed assurances from Russia that Bashar al-Assad would not take advantage of the situation and attempt to seize Turkish-controlled positions in the province of Idlib.