MOSCOW, May 10. /TASS/. Russia will continue its efforts geared to put an end to bloodshed and violence in Syria and to counteract the terrorism threat, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in comment posted on the ministry’s website on Tuesday.
"On May 9, Russia and the United States issued a statement on Syria where they, as co-chair of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), reiterate their commitment to the regime of cessation of hostilities and outline measures to maintain its efficiency," she noted. "We proceed from the fact that it is to be an explicit signal to all the parties that there are no alternatives to political settlement in Syria."
"On our part, we will continue efforts geared to stop violence and put an end to bloodshed in Syria, to counteract the terrorism threat," Zakharova stressed. "We hail the American partners’ readiness to act in the same way as they have reiterated it in the statement."
Russia hopes for immediate positioning of territories controlled by Islamic State
Moscow hopes specific steps will soon be made to determine the coordinates of territories controlled by the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova went on to say.
"We are paying special attention to the fact that the text of the statement underscores adherence of American partners to prevention of transportation of militants and weapons across the Syrian border and financial aid to terrorist organizations," she said.
"We hope that soon, with account for recently agreed measures to coordinate the actions of Russian and American militaries, specific steps will be made to determine the coordinates of territories controlled by ISIL and Jabhat al-Nusra," Zakharova said.
The conflict in Syria has lasted since March 2011. In April 2016, the United Nations secretary general’s special envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura said the hostilities in the country have left 400,000 people dead. Later he specified that it was his personal assessment. Up until now, the UN has named the death count of over 250,000 in Syria.
The ceasefire regime took effect in Syria on February 27, 2016. Shortly before, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution supporting a cessation of hostilities. The document drafted by Russia and the United States was backed by all 15 Security Council member states.
The ceasefire regime does not cover the Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations as well as other groups ruled terrorist by the Security Council.
Russia takes an active part in the Syrian settlement effort. It helps Syria's authorities fight terrorists and has conducted mine clearing work in the ancient city of Palmyra.