“We have grave differences with the Russians in terms of both the parties we support but also the process that is required to bring about peace in Syria”.
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Stating that the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq is his first priority, Obama has been reluctant to directly involve the US military in Syria’s civil war, beyond providing limited arms and other assistance to moderate opposition forces. Syrian troops and their allies also retook nearly all the territory lost since a July 31 rebel offensive in south and southwestern Aleppo province, according to the group, which monitors the conflict through activists on the ground.
And US Defense Secretary Ash Carter told BBC radio on Thursday there was “quite a long way to go” before a final deal could be struck.
USA officials had hoped to build pressure on Moscow over its support for Assad’s government during the Hangzhou summit and upcoming UN General Assembly. Some of those groups are supported by the US. In his own news conference, Obama said he was skeptical that Russian Federation and Syria would abide by any agreement, but said a long-term solution to Syria’s civil war is still urgently needed. “The choice is Russia’s to make…and the consequences will be its responsibility”, he added.
But critics of US President Barack Obama’s administration say Kerry has gone into the negotiation with little in the way of leverage, giving Moscow the upper hand.
Speaking in Hangzhou, Obama said the talks had been complicated by “gaps of trust” between Washington and Moscow, which back opposite sides in the war. “And we’ll see in coming days whether on Syria we can reach a near-term agreement”. “Because the conversation has gone on so long, and because there have been promises made, and promises not kept, we are looking to have a series of steps that get us to a comprehensive approach”.
Also Thursday, Syrian officials denied reports that the military was behind suspected chlorine gas attack on civilians Wednesday in a rebel-held part of the city. Under this plan, Syria’s air force would be grounded in parts of the country in an effort to halt the humanitarian crisis and end bombing of moderate opposition groups that are supported by the USA and its allies, while the various parties would come to the table for talks on a political settlement. Secretary of State John Kerry is to follow up with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
A European diplomat said on Thursday, that there was just a single remaining substantive issue dividing USA and Russian governments but it is not clear whether that involved Nusra positions or another subject.
The decision to deepen cooperation with Moscow was already controversial, given the Obama administration’s public criticism of Russia’s role in Syria.
This is the second time in two weeks that Kerry and Lavrov have failed to reach a deal on a ceasefire deal.
For months, the Russians have been pushing the USA to agree to share intelligence on targeting ISIS and al-Nusra militants.
Hijab concedes there are formidable obstacles hindering implementation of the plan.
Johnson says in The Times column that Assad can have no part in a future government in Syria.
“The Russians badly want this agreement”, one senior official said.
In exchange for the military partnership, Russian Federation would agree to halt its attacks on US-backed rebels and other groups the U.S. does not consider terrorists and deliver assurances Assad would do so as well.
The battle around Aleppo has intensified as an opposition group sent reinforcements to southern Aleppo to counter Assad forces; which resumed their assault in southern Aleppo targeting the opposition-held Ramouseh Garages in order to gain more control over the Ramousa district. It is not clear what effect – if any – a US-Russia ceasefire would have on Turkish operations.
Russian Federation has insisted that opposition groups, backed by the United States and Gulf allies, separate from al-Qaeda-linked militants in cities such as Aleppo.
Another sticking point centers around access to the main “Costello road” leading to Aleppo, where distrust between the regime and rebels has held up delivery of critical humanitarian supplies.
The plan calls for an 18-month transitional period, during which the country would be led by an interim government comprised of current government representatives along with opposition figures and representatives of civil society.
“Nobody’s going to sit around and allow this pretense to continue”, Kerry said.
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“We are talking about most serious issues of implementing a ceasefire”, he said.
