Envoy: Russian Operation Makes Syrian Opposition Start Dialogue With Gov't

Envoy: Russian Operation Makes Syrian Opposition Start Dialogue With Gov't

 

After Russia began operations in Syria, the opposition was forced to begin dialogue with Damascus, Russian Ambassador to Syria Alexander Kinshchak said.

“We practically forced them to start dialogue with the [Syrian] authorities. The crux to beginning this process of active intergovernmental contacts with the participation of interested countries in the attempt to develop a common base for intra-Syrian reconciliation was Russia’s Aerospace Forces’ operations. I’m convinced that there is a direct cause and effect connection here and am ready to argue my point,” Kinshchak told RIA Novosti in an interview.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with the country’s government fighting multiple opposition factions and extremist groups.

Russia has been conducting precision airstrikes against terrorists operating in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad since September 30.

Ignoring Kurds' Opinion in Geneva Peace Talks on Syria Unreasonable

Damascus and the Syrian opposition began reconciliation talks in late January in Geneva.

"The stumbling block was the question of the Kurds’ participation in [Geneva] negotiations. We agree with those who believe that to ignore their opinion is simply unreasonable," Kinshchak told RIA Novosti.

Last week, the United Nations postponed talks on Syrian reconciliation as the parties were unable to reach a compromise on a number of issues. The opposition and government delegations blamed each other for the breakdown in the talks.

On Saturday, Damascus said it supported inclusion of more representatives to the opposition list for the talks on the Syrian settlement in Geneva after Syrian Kurds had not been invited to the first round of negotiations.

The peace talks are scheduled to resume on February 25.