The United States and Russian Federation failed to close a deal on nationwide cessation of hostilities and extending military cooperation in Syria, saying they still have issues to resolve before an agreement could be announced.
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He also voiced support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura for launching direct dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition, adding that there should be a comprehensive representation of the opposition.
Kerry said that Syrians benefited from the calm following the February accord, but that the gains were lost again when violations of the agreement began.
The Russian minister also said that separating “sane opposition forces” from extremist organizations, including al-Nusra Front group, was key to curbing the violence in Syria. The PKK is recognised as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and EU.
The U.S. and Russian Federation said they made progress toward a new cease-fire in Syria’s civil war but had no breakthroughs after nine hours of talks in Geneva, underscoring the deep differences that remain in bringing a lasting settlement to the country’s bloody conflict.
“We do not support an independent Kurd initiative”.
USA -backed Syrian Kurdish fighters say they are withdrawing to their bases east of the Euphrates River after Turkey’s military and allied fighters launched a cross-border offensive.
“Everyone understands one can not make these mistakes once again”, Lavrov said.
During the meeting with Lavrov, the two sides will try to come to an agreement over military cooperation and information sharing in a bid to defeat Islamic State militants in Syria – something both sides want.
Moscow and Washington will boost their cooperation on resolving the Syrian crisis as they have managed to reduce their mutual mistrust on the conflict in the Arab country, says the Russian foreign minister.
“We are close, but as I have said…we’re not going to rush to an agreement until it meets fully the needs of the Syrian people”. Kerry said the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad has conducted a continued aerial bombardment with barrel bombs and choline gas. While Kerry touted that humanitarian aid has been delivered to over one million people as a result of previous negotiations, he said that ceasefire violations have become the “norm” and “the conflict will not end without a political solution”.
“Some of the differences in those discussions toward a durable solutions have been narrowed, but as Secretary Kerry said, issues still remain that need to be addressed”.
Mr Kerry believes the plan is the best chance to limit fighting that is driving thousands of Syrians into exile in Europe and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching tens of thousands more.
Lavrov said the Daraya surrender is “an example I think will get some following”. He did not name the area.
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Residents and insurgents in Daraya began to leave the besieged area where civilians have been trapped since 2012 and the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern for their safety.
