MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The extension of silence regime in Syria’s Aleppo depends on the actions of Jabhat al-Nusra and its affiliated groups, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Monday.
"The issue is how al-Nusra and structures affiliated with it will behave," Ryabkov said. "We continue calling on the Americans to take all measures to delimitate these structures. Unfortunately, this has not been successful," he said.
The diplomat stressed that more than 100 settlements and groups continue observing the ceasefire regime in Syria.
Members of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) are working out ideas for the final document of their meeting, but there are no guarantees yet that it will be adopted, Ryabkov added.
According to the diplomat, at the stage when the event (ISSG meeting in Vienna on May 17) has not yet begun, "it is difficult to speak of any decisions."
"We are engaged in the working out of ideas for the final document," he said. "But there are no guarantees yet that it will be agreed and adopted." The diplomat added that "in principle, there is sufficient base for the work."
- Moscow says US unable to force Syria opposition to distance itself from Jabhat al-Nusra
- Fifteen Jabhat al-Nusra militants surrender arms to Syria authorities
- Russian Defense Ministry reports increased Jabhat al-Nusra activities in Syria
- Jabhat al-Nusra plans large-scale offensive near Aleppo — Russian General Staff
- Over 1,000 Jabhat al-Nusra militants concentrated north of Aleppo — ministry
"Depending of the course of the discussion, possibly some things will be specified, but not necessarily in the form of a document," Ryabkov said.
On May 9, Russia and the United States as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group came out with a joint statement on the situation in Syria. The document identifies key problems Moscow and Washington are ready to work jointly on to give an impetus to the process of Syrian settlement, including observance of the ceasefire regime, humanitarian assistance and organization of the political process.
A ceasefire regime brokered by Russia and the United States on February 22 officially came into effect in Syria at midnight Damascus time on February 27. This does not cover terrorist groups such as Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, both outlawed in Russia, and other groups recognized as terrorist by the United Nations Security Council. An hour before the ceasefire came into force, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution in support cessation of hostilities in Syria. The document was initiated by Russia and the United States and won support from all the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council.