The US and Russian Federation have made progress on a deal to restore a truce in Syria but failed to make a breakthrough on military cooperation and a cessation of hostilities.
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‘I think in the nearest time we will present the fruits of our joint efforts, ‘ Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
During a press conference in Geneva where he met Lavrov, Kerry said that the only way forward for the Syrian people was to negotiate a political resolution to the conflict.
“We have continued our efforts to reduce the areas where we lack understanding and trust, which is an achievement”, Lavrov said.
On that point, he said the United States has not fulfilled its promise to separate the rebel groups it supports from Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, which has been fighting side by side with US -backed forces.
He added that a “vast majority” of “technical discussion” has been completed and that experts would remain in Switzerland to address outstanding issues.
“We don’t want to have a deal for the sake of the deal”, he explained.
The US and Russian Federation are aiming to strengthen military cooperation in the fight against the IS.
He said, “Last month in Moscow, Sergey and I reached agreement after discussions with President Putin on a broad set of concrete steps that, if implemented, they would enable us to be able to achieve a meaningful, lasting ceasefire”.
Kerry on Friday listed two main priorities to ensure that a prospective revamped ceasefire holds: responding to ceasefire violations by the Damascus regime and checking the rising influence of the former Al-Nusra Front.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria called for all warring sides to agree by Sunday to allow the first safe delivery of relief supplies to the divided city of Aleppo.
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Lavrov also stressed that there can be no possibility of guaranteeing the cessation of combat activities without separating the “opposition” from terrorists, adding that a new round of direct dialogue between the Syrian government and the “opposition” should be launched. There should be “no (military) escalation in areas adjacent or around the area of the pause”.
