Russian Federation has backed Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, but the United States has worked with what it says are moderate opposition forces fighting against him.
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“But given the gaps of trust that exist, that is a tough negotiation and we haven’t yet closed the gaps in a way where we think it would actually work”. Although the official acknowledged there were still unresolved issues.
He noted there is a distinction between “good terrorists or bad”, he said, an indirect reference to Gulen and USA support for Kurdish fighters in Syria.
But with previous ceasefire agreements in Syria having failed, the president said USA officials remain skeptical that talks will produce lasting peace.
But the diplomatic efforts were unsuccessful, Obama said at a press conference on Monday.
The president said he nevertheless plans to keep trying against the odds.
Obama “made clear to president Putin that sanctions will continue on Russian Federation if Minsk is not fully implemented”, the White House pool reported. The two leaders used the talk to clarify sticking points, the official said.
“We discussed ways in which we can further cooperate in that regard”, Obama said after meeting with Erdogan, who survived a failed military coup and has been cracking down on suspected instigators.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Theresa May met here on Sunday and expressed hopes to fix bilateral relations through dialogue.
The search for a new deal will continue but key differences remain.
Obama has expressed skepticism that Russian Federation would honor its agreement. Now Russian and American diplomats are haggling over who controls which roadways and also struggling with how to disentangle the US-backed moderate opposition from militant groups with links to extremists who operate in close proximity on the battlefield.
The Turkish president added that achieving a ceasefire in Aleppo is one of the most important issues for Turkey and Russian Federation. But Obama “suggested the US has concerns about Russian Federation holding up its end of the bargain and enforcing the terms”, the wire service writes.
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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he had urged world powers at a G20 meeting to set up a “safe zone” in Syria where there would be no fighting and which could help stem migrant flows from the Arab nation. The package would include provisions so aid can reach besieged areas of Syria and measures to prevent Assad’s government from bombing areas where US-backed rebels are operating.
