Russian FM: No one discredits memo on de-escalation zones in Syria

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

Russia does not see any problems in the implementation of the memorandum on de-escalation zones in Syria, which was signed in Astana, although "it doesn’t go without patches and roughness," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, RIA Novosti reported.

"I do not see any problems with the implementation of the memorandum signed in Astana, apart from the somewhat ideological position of our American colleagues, who, as I understand it, reject the status of Iran as a guarantor of the implementation of this memorandum," Ryabkov told reporters.

According to the Deputy Minister, "taking into account the complexity of the situation in Syria it doesn’t go without rough edges, but this is not a sign that the document is in question or requires revision."

"On the contrary, just concluded sixth round of Geneva talks under the auspices of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura confirmed that no one puts the effectiveness of Astana as a process and the efficiency of the work done there in doubt,” he said.

Ryabkov further mentioned that the contacts will be continued at the expert level. “We consider this memorandum to be an effective instrument for solving the problem of stabilizing the situation and strengthening the ceasefire regime," he concluded.

Earlier, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Moscow is already working as an intermediary in the settlement of relations between the U.S. and Iran.

Previously, Russia, Turkey and Iran signed a memorandum on creating four zones at talks involving the Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan’s capital.

The civil war in Syria between government and opposition with various terrorist groups involved, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), began back in March 2011.

Syrian President Bashar Assad managed to turn the tide of war in his favor after Russia started an air campaign in September 2015, while Iran is an uncompromising supporter of the Syrian leader.

According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.