Russia Offers To Be A "Platform For Talks" In The Syrian Civil War

Lavrov Offers Russia As Platform For Syrian Dialogue -- Radio Free Europe

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says his country is still prepared to act as a platform for talks between Syria’s government and the opposition.

Lavrov’s comments came on February 20 after a meeting of the first session of the Russia-Arab Forum in Moscow.

He said Russia and Arabic countries are working to bring the two Syrian sides to the negotiating table and emphasized it is important the Syrian factions "do not lay down conditions" prior to talks.

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More News On Russia Offering To Be A Mediator In The Syrian Civil War

Time to end the war in Syria – Lavrov -- RT
Russia Calls for End to Syrian Crisis -- Voice of America
Russia offers to broker Syria talks -- AP
Russia, Arab League see chance for start to Syria dialogue -- Reuters
Russia Urges Syria to Respond to Opposition’s Talks Offer -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Syrian Opposition In For Dialog - Russian FM -- RIA Novosti
Chance for peace in Syria shouldn’t be missed – Lavrov -- Voice of Russia
Russia and Arab League voice optimism over Syria talks -- Deutsche Welle
Moscow Sees 'Signs of Hope' In Solving Syrian Crisis -- Al Monitor
Russia warns Syria rivals risk 'mutual destruction' -- Global Post/AFP
Russia warns of 'mutual destruction' in Syria -- Al Jazeera
Russia stuck in Syrian conundrum -- Nikolay Surkov, Russia Beyond The Headlines

My Comment: I am very skeptical that these talks can move forward .... especially coming from the Russians. They are the major supplier of weapons to Assad, and are also the ones who are giving him diplomatic cover at the United Nations. But what is in their favor is that the rebels are now realizing that they do not have the heavy weapons to win quickly ..... and are probably hoping that they can convince the Russians in these talks that with time they are going to eventually win, so the issue that is now before them is how much blood must be spilled before that happens, and what will Russia`s role be after the civil war is over. But will Assad and his followers accept a loss of power .... even with pressure from the Russians ..... I just do not see it happening.