Putin: Crisis in Syria Can Only Be Solved through U.N. Based on Astana and Geneva Formats

SOCHI- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that solution to the crisis in  Syria can be found only through United Nations based on Geneva and Astana formats.

In a press conference on Tuesday  after his talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin said he had discussed the situation in Syria with the German Chancellor and they had agreed that it was necessary to galvanize the “peace negotiations” through the Astana and Geneva formats.

“We are confident that a solution to the Syrian problem can be found only through United Nations brokered peace talk,” Putin added, according to Itar Tass.

 Unbiased probe into alleged chemical weapons incident in Syria Urged

The Russian president called for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the incident with the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria’s Khan Shaykhun.

“We resolutely condemn any use of chemical weapons,” Putin said.

“Naturally, those responsible for the death of Syrians [in the chemical weapons incident in Idlib] must be found and punished. But it should be done only after a thorough and unbiased investigation,” he clarified.

Cooperation with the US

He went on to say that Russia has been and will be in contact with the United States on the Syrian settlement.

“Naturally, it is impossible to find efficient solutions to such problems without such country as the United States. So, we have been and will be in contact with our American partners and I hope we will reach understanding about joint steps on this important and very sensitive matter of the current international politics,” he said.

The first and foremost thing to be done, according to the Russian leader, is to establish ceasefire, which has been done along with the Turkish and Iranian partners within the Astana process.

“We think that this situation – the ceasefire – must be strengthened and this is what our representatives will work on in Astana tomorrow and the day after tomorrow with the parties to the Syrian conflict,” he noted, adding that this cooperation will be continued in the Geneva format.

H.M