"We agree that all parameters for the settlement [of the Syria crisis] – political, military, humanitarian – were laid down in the International Syria Support Group [ISSG] decisions backed by UN Security Council resolutions. These agreements must underlie all our peace efforts," Lavrov said in Moscow after his talks with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.
The final decision in the Syrian political process is up to the Syrian people, the Russian top diplomat said, adding all opposition factions should be present at the negotiations.
"The external players must help create conditions for such an intra-Syrian dialogue instead of pushing through their own recipes," Lavrov stressed.
Russia wants the United States to use its leverage with Syrian opposition forces to stop them from giving Damascus ultimatums on how Syria’s political structure should be reshaped, according to the Russian foreign minister.
"We are calling on all our international partners – mostly the United States as a co-chair of the International Syria Support Group – to use its influence on all members of the coalition to put an end to such ultimatums that aim to torpedo the talks and justify a brute-force scenario," Lavrov said.
Moscow calls for the ceasefire regime in Syria to be expanded and consolidated, so daily contacts between Russia and the United States are aimed at reaching it, Lavrov added.
"There are some specific groups willing to undermine the cessation of hostilities [in Syria], to provoke an escalation. We cannot afford them to do so. Our efforts together with our US partners are focused on… expanding the number of participants of the ceasefire regime and [ensuring] the regime to be broadened and consolidated," Lavrov said.
"Now the Russian and US military are finalizing an agreement for a ceasefire in the city of Aleppo. I hope that the decision will be announced soon, maybe even in the next few hours," the minister added.
