Russia’s Syria Quandary

A new round of Syria talks took place on the 23-24 January 2017 in the Kazakh capital Astana. The goal of meeting was to consolidate the fragile ceasefire that began in December 2016. If the meeting ended well the negotiations would be resumed in February 2017.

The Russian-sponsored Syria peace talks in Astana were meant to demonstrate Moscow’s centrality to resolving the Syria crisis. Gathering together the key regional actors – Turkey and Iran, as well as the Syrian government and a delegation of armed rebels – Moscow hoped to finally break the log-jam.

The Astana process may represent a moment of new Russian seriousness, even though there were no obvious breakthroughs.

ESO: Background information: Will peace get a chance in Astana? http://www.europeansources.info/record/will-peace-get-a-chance-in-astana/

ESO: Background information: Pro-regime Militias Are Now the Biggest Obstacle to Ending the Syrian Conflict http://www.europeansources.info/record/pro-regime-militias-are-now-the-biggest-obstacle-to-ending-the-syrian-conflict/

ESO: Background information: How Ceasefires in Syria Became Another Tool of Warfare http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-ceasefires-in-syria-became-another-tool-of-warfare/

ESO: Background information: Putin cancels Paris visit in Syria row http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-cancels-paris-visit-in-syria-row/

ESO: Background information: Can Russia End the War in Syria? http://www.europeansources.info/record/judy-asks-can-russia-end-the-war-in-syria/

Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2017: New Syria talks without much hope of success http://www.eurotopics.net/en/175035/new-syria-talks-without-much-hope-of-success

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