Kremlin says no comments on Syria ceasefire plans, process very fragile

MOSCOW– Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to comment on the plans for declaring ceasefire in the war-torn Syria on March 1.

“Now I would not give any comments as the process is very fragile, the coordination is underway,” Peskov told reporters, adding that there is no talk of any “unanimity in the Syrian settlement process.”

In comments to media reports that Russia suggests declaring ceasefire in Syria on March 1, Peskov has urged to avoid speculation on the issue and wait for the official statements, Itar Tass reported.

 “Let’s not speculate on any data,” he said. “No plans have been made public officially, so let’s proceed from this.”

Peskov reminded that “Russia has been consistently making efforts in the context of settlement jointly with other countries that are participants of the settlement process.”

“I would not run ahead now,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

Resumption of Intra-Syrian Dialogue before February 25 Depends on “Riyadh Opposition” Readiness: Gatilov

According to Tass, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Thursday that the intra-Syrian dialogue could resume before February 25 depending on the readiness of the “opposition from the Riyadh group”.

“Who is responsible for the disruption of the first round of talks? The opposition from Riyadh. The question whether the talks will resume on February 25 should be addressed to them,” he said. “As far as I know, the Syrian government is prepared for this.”

H.M