"Obviously, at the moment there is no other alternative but to rely on the good will of Putin and Assad", he pointed out.
Even though he remained downbeat about the implementation of the truce in Syria, he insisted that in theory, a ceasefire agreement is being seen as quite feasible.
Ehrich recalled that the ceasefire plan proposed by Moscow and Washington was supported by both the Syrian government and the main opposition groups, which he said will now be under severe pressure.
According to him, if any of these groups violates the truce, it would mean the collapse of this organization, which will never be supported by Washington again.
It will also be the case with Saudi Arabia, which in unlikely to justify its support to opposition groups under such a scenario, Ehrich said.
#SYRIA All forces, which have real influence on the conflicting parties must take maximum efforts on implementation of ceasefire agreement
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 27 февраля 2016 г.
He added that in this regard, opposition governmental forces will be unable to change the course of events in Syria, where Assad's army, supported by the Russian Air Force, has made considerable progress in the past few months.
#SYRIA for last 24 hours, 3 settlements (al-Ganta, al-Telb, Nakhtah) signed agreements on ceasefire and passing under control of gov. troops
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 27 февраля 2016 г.
According to the N-TV, the ceasefire could add to the implementation of a UN Security Council plan to form an interim government for Syria, approve a new constitution and hold free elections in the summer of 2017.
BREAKING: Russia suspends all Syria airstrikes on areas, armed groups included in ceasefire https://t.co/1J64wpF7mv pic.twitter.com/cVwJj8fhRZ
— RT (@RT_com) 27 февраля 2016 г.
Russia and the United States reached an agreement on the ceasefire in Syria on February 22. The ceasefire took effect at midnight on Saturday, Damascus time (22:00 GMT on Friday).
Meanwhile, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has said that intra-Syrian peace talks are due to resume on March 7, with their first phase set to last for three weeks, provided that the ceasefire is adhered to.
