MUNICH (Sputnik) — He added that it could take place because both Moscow and Ankara had "assets on the ground" and could "exercise leverage."
"This is a discussion, which is ongoing between Turkey and the Russian Federation about a ceasefire [in Syria]. And these ceasefire is holding more than the previous ones and in my modest opinion has, if we all look at it carefully, more chances to actually succeed than others," de Mistura said, speaking at the Munich Security Conference.
While Russia provides the Syrian army with aerial support since September 2015, Turkey backs the Free Syrian Army rebels, who are currently conducting an operation in al-Bab.
The Geneva process on Syrian settlement is still based on the concept of the political transition in the Arab country, he said.
When asked if the Geneva process was still based on a political transition, de Mistura said that, "resolution 2254 specifies very clearly that concept and 2254 is my Bible, my Quran. How to get there — that's where politics, diplomacy and abilities are necessary. Political transition is still part of Geneva — inclusive, credible process."
"We have been supporting Astana and the meetings in Astana, of course based on the assumption that they are surgical and laser-beamed on a very important issue — establishing, stabilizing, reinforcing the cessation of hostilities plus confidence-building measures, which means for instance humanitarian access, which by the way is not taking place at the moment," de Mistura said, speaking at the Munich Security Conference.
Speaking about the Geneva talks, the UN official said that the negotiations in the Swiss city would be focused on the matters included in the UN Security Council resolution 2254, such as the issues of governance, constitution and election.
