Turkey Hosts Russian, German, And French Leaders For Syrian Summit

DW: Syria summit: Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for free elections alongside Russia, Turkey, France

The German chancellor demanded free elections in four-way talks in Turkey on the possibility of peace in Syria. The four leaders are hoping to capitalize on a shaky ceasefire agreement in Idlib.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the leaders of Turkey, Russia and France in Istanbul on Saturday to try and find common ground on the future of Syria.

After meeting with the leaders, Merkel called for a political process to end the conflict under the auspices of the United Nations, with the ultimate goal of free elections.

"At the end of this political process, there must be free elections to which all Syrians have access — including the diaspora," Merkel told a news conference.

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More News On Turkey Hosting Russian, German, And French Leaders For Syrian Summit

Syrians must lead peace efforts, leaders say at Turkey talks -- AP
Four-nation Syria summit calls for lasting Idlib ceasefire -- AFP
Russia, Germany, France and Turkey call for lasting ceasefire, constitutional meeting for Syria -- Reuters
Turkey Hosts Syria Summit With Russian, French, German Leaders -- RFE
Leaders of Turkey, Syria, France and Germany hold Syria talks -- Al Jazeera
Istanbul summit calls for Syrian constitutional committee by year-end -- Daily Sabah
At Syria summit, leaders produce few answers to the endgame question -- Washington Post

Syrian Opposition And Rebel Groups Reject Russian-Proposed Peace Talks

The support of Vladimir Putin has given Syrian president Bashar Al Assad free rein to hit back at rebels. Mikhail Klimentyev / Sputnik

Al Arabiya: Syrian opposition rejects Sochi Summit, describes Russia as the enemy

Syrian opposition groups refused to participate in the Sochi Summit in Russia to discuss a possible peace agreement with the Assad regime, accusing Moscow of seeking to circumvent the United Nations peace process in Geneva and committing war crimes in Syria.

The decision was announced in a statement created by 40 opposition groups, including some military factions who participated in previous peace talks in Geneva.

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More News On Syrian Opposition And Rebel Groups Rejecting Russian-Proposed Peace Talks

Syria rebels, opposition reject Russia-proposed talks -- AP

Rebel groups reject talks on Syrian conflict hosted by Russia -- The Guardian/Reuters
Syria rebels reject Sochi peace initiative -- AFP

Syrian opposition rejects Russian-backed Sochi peace talks -- Deutsche Welle

No One Is Expecting A Breakthrough In UN-Sponsored Syrian Peace Talks This Week

Angus McDowall, Reuters: Little prospect of Syria peace progress seen in Geneva talks

BEIRUT (Reuters) - A breakthrough in U.N.-backed Syria peace talks in Geneva this week seems hardly more likely than in seven failed earlier rounds as President Bashar al-Assad pushes for total military victory and his opponents stick by their demand he leave power.

U.N. Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura said on Monday the Syrian government had not yet confirmed that it would attend the talks. A Syrian newspaper reported that the government delegation would delay its planned Tuesday arrival in Geneva because of the opposition’s insistence Assad step down.

The opposition’s stance is seen by Damascus and its allies as divorced from reality after the government’s steady march of victories since Russia entered the war in 2015. The rebels have been forced from all Syria’s big cities and their hopes of toppling Assad by military means look finished.

The opposition has also accused the government of refusing to seriously engage.

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WNU Editor: The Syrian government has just bailed out on these UN sponsored talks .... Syrian government holds off on joining peace talks (Channel News Asia/AFP). And while the UN is still optimistic that Syria will attend .... UN urges Syrian government to attend Geneva talks (AP), even talking about UN sponsored elections .... The Latest: UN envoy says Syria talks to focus on election (AP) .... I say that since Syrian President Assad no longer feels threaten, his interest in these talks are not a priority.

The Leaders Of Russia, Turkey And Iran Meet In Sochi To Discuss A Strategy On Syria

DW: Syria: Putin, Erdogan, Rouhani hold talks as opposition gathers in Saudi Arabia

The leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran have met in Sochi to discuss strategy in Syria. Meanwhile, some parts of the Syrian opposition forces met in Saudi Arabia ahead of UN-backed peace talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on Wednesday. The leaders discussed a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Syria as the war against the "Islamic State" (IS) and Syrian rebel groups winds down.

UN-backed peace talks are due to be held in Geneva later this month.

Russian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad has turned the tide in the six-year civil war in favor of the regime.

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WNU Editor: In the meantime, Saudi Arabia is trying to unify the Syrian opposition .... Saudi Arabia will help Syrian opposition come out unified from Riyadh meet: Jubeir (Reuters).

More News On The Leaders Of Russia, Turkey And Iran Meeting In Sochi To Discuss A Strategy On Syria

Putin, Erdogan & Rouhani agree on holding Syrian national dialogue congress in Sochi -- RT
Russia, Iran, Turkey agree to hold Syrian 'congress' to talk peace -- CNN
Putin brings Iran and Turkey together in bold Syria peace plan -- The Guardian
Putin Sees 'Real Chance' to End Syria War at Talks With Iran and Turkey -- Bloomberg
Putin wins backing from Iran, Turkey for new Syria peace push -- Reuters

Partial Syrian Cease-Fire For The Southwest Of The Country Largely Holding As UN Convenes New Peace Talks

DW: Syrian ceasefire holds as UN peace talks set to start in Geneva

A partial ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia appears to have held in south-western Syria. Government and opposition delegations are set to hold a seventh round of UN-sponsored talks in Geneva.

Combat was halted in the three southern provinces covered by the truce - Daraa, Quneitra, and Sweida - after the ceasefire started at noon local time, a monitor told the French news agency AFP.

"The main fronts in the three provinces between regime forces and opposition factions have seen a cessation of hostilities and shelling since this morning, with the exception of a few scattered shells fired on Daraa city before noon," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said on Sunday night.

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More News On The Partial Syrian Ceasefire And Peace Talks

Syria ceasefire: US and Russia-backed deal in effect -- BBC
Cease-fire takes effect in southwest Syria -- UPI
Cease-Fire Brokered By U.S., Russia Appears To Hold After First Day In Southwest Syria -- RFE
Ceasefire in Syria's southwest largely holds: monitor -- Al Jazeera
Syrian Cease-fire Largely Holding as UN Convenes New Peace Talks -- VOA
UN envoy launches new round of Syria talks amid cease-fire -- AP
Syria peace talks resume after ceasefire -- AFP
Russia to continue cooperation with US on de-escalation zones in Syria – Lavrov -- RT
Iran: U.S.-Russia ceasefire deal should be expanded to cover all Syria -- Reuters
Netanyahu welcomes ceasefire in Syria, warns against allowing Hezbollah or Iran to move in -- Jerusalem Online
Experts say Russian-US agreement on Syrian ceasefire to maintain status quo -- TASS
How long will the southern Syria ceasefire last? -- The Jerusalem Post

Iran And Turkey Block Russian Proposals On Syrian Safe Zones

Delegations from Turkey, Russia and Iran gathered again in Astana in an attempt to strike a deal on four "de-escalation zones" in Syria (AFP)

Arab News/AFP: Russia says no final deal on Syria safe zones

ASTANA: Russia, Turkey and Iran failed at peace talks Wednesday to hammer out details including the boundaries and policing of four safe zones in war-torn Syria, Moscow’s chief negotiator said.

Russian delegation head Alexander Lavrentiev said after the end of the latest two-day negotiations in Kazakhstan that documents outlining how the four zones should work “need finalizing” despite being “essentially agreed” between the three key powerbrokers.

Moscow and Tehran, which back Syrian regime, and opposition supporter Ankara agreed in May to establish four “de-escalation” zones in a potential breakthrough after more than six years of fighting that has claimed more than 320,000 lives.

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Update: Russia, Turkey, Iran fail to agree on Syria de-escalation zones (Ahram Online/Reuters)

WNU Editor: Both Iran and Turkey want a large military presence in these "de-conflict zones" .... the problem is that no one else wants them there. Will Iran and Turkey step back from their demands .... if they do not these peace talks are doomed .... which is probably what Iran and (maybe) Turkey want.

Hat tip to James for this story.

A New Round Of Syria Peace Talks Have Resumed In Kazakhstan -- News Roundup July 4, 2017

Al Bawaba: Fifth Round of Syria Peace Talks Begins in Astana Amid Doubts Over Regime Ceasefire

A fifth round of talks to end the devastating six-year Syrian war began in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, with the Syrian regime announcing a ceasefire in the country's south ahead of talks.

A three-way meeting of the talk's co-sponsors – Russia, Iran, and Turkey – was underway in the Kazakh capital, Astana, aimed at finalising four so-called de-escalation zones, Russian news agencies reported.

The two days of meetings will involve bilateral talks before a plenary session bringing together all participants on Wednesday.

Kazakhstan's foreign ministry press secretary confirmed to AFP that Syrian regime delegates and rebel factions had also arrived in Astana.

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A New Round of Syria Peace Talks Have Resumed In Kazakhstan -- News Roundup July 4, 2017

Fifth Round Of Syria Peace Talks Under Way In Astana -- RFE
Syria talks: Russia, Iran and Turkey focus on having safe zones in war-torn country -- First Post/AFP
Fifth round of Syrian peace talks begins in Astana -- TRT
Syrian army pauses for Astana peace talks after skirmishes with Israel on southern border -- The Independent
Russia may deploy military in Syrian buffer zones within weeks -- Reuters
Russia could send military to patrol de-escalation zone borders in Syria: report -- The Hill
Presence of Russian Military Police in Syria 'Buffer Zones' Not Ruled Out -- Sputnik
Ex-Judge Chosen by UN to Gather Evidence of Syria War Crimes -- New York Times
Former French judge to lead UN Syria war crimes probe -- Al Jazeera

Russia, Turkey And Iran Agree To Create Safe Zones In Syria

Al Jazeera: Regional powers agree on Syria 'de-escalation zones'

Russia, Turkey and Iran to create de-escalation areas in Syria, as opposition vents anger over Iranian involvement.

Russia, Iran and Turkey have signed a deal calling for the setup of so-called de-escalation zones in war-torn Syria during talks in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.

The signing ceremony on Thursday was briefly interrrupted as some members of the Syrian armed opposition's delegation stormed out in protest against Iran's participation in the deal.

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WNU Editor: The Pentagon has no plans to send forces to enforce these "safe zones" .... The Pentagon isn't planning to send more troops to enforce Trump's Syria safe zones, sources say (Washington Examiner).

Update: Many delegates in the Syrian rebel delegation have stormed out after the signing of this "safe zone" memorandum..... Syria: Rebels storm out as 'safe zones' plan signed (BBC)

More News On Russia, Turkey And Iran Agreeing To Create Safe Zones In Syria

Russia, Iran, Turkey sign on 'de-escalation zones' in Syria -- AP
Putin: Russia, Turkey support Syria 'de-escalation zones' -- CNN
Russia, Turkey and Iran sign memorandum on de-escalation zones in Syria -- TASS
Russia, Iran, Turkey sign agreement on creation of Syria safe zones -- RT
Russia to do utmost to ensure no-fly regime in Syrian de-escalation zone -- TASS
Four de-escalation zones to be declared in Syria: Turkish president -- Hurriyet Daily News
Turkey and Russia push for safe-zones in Syria -- Al Jazeera
Syria war: Putin says 'safe zones' have international support -- BBC
Putin pushes Syria safe zone plan -- AFP
Putin: I discussed de-escalation zones in Syria with Trump, Erdogan -- RT
Putin: Syria no fly zones could cement ceasefire -- DW
Putin Says Trump Backs Syria Plan, Russia Open to No-Fly Zones -- Bloomberg
Putin: Trump backs plan to establish safe zones in Syria -- FOX News
Putin: Trump backs Syria safe zones plan -- The Hill

Iran And Syria Are Blocking Russian Efforts For A Peace Deal To End The Syrian War

Bloomberg: Russia Tries to Salvage Syria Peace Bid Amid Iran Dispute

* Trump’s anti-terror policy presents Russia with tough choice
* Top Russian officials to meet Western-backed Syria opposition

Russia is struggling to salvage its bid to secure a deal to end six years of civil war in Syria as deepening differences with Iran risk a repeat of previous failed peace efforts led by the U.S.

“Things aren’t going as smoothly as we would want” in the Geneva talks, President Vladimir Putin told reporters Tuesday during a visit to Kyrgyzstan.

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov met the Syrian government delegation head, Bashar Jaafari, in Geneva, where the United Nations is holding the first round of Syria negotiations in almost a year. He’s also due to meet the main Syrian opposition group, the Western-backed High Negotiations Committee. It’s demanding that Russia press President Bashar al-Assad and his other chief ally, Iran, to observe a cease-fire and discuss steps for a political transition.

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WNU Editor: This is making the pundits talk in Moscow .... and they are not happy. What's my take .... the Kremlin is finally realising how much of a quagmire this entire conflict is .... and it is Russian President Putin himself who is admitting that “things aren’t going as smoothly as we would want” in the Geneva talks

Russian Foreign Minister: Syrian Peace Talks In Geneva Have Been Postponed

DW: UN declines to confirm delay in Syrian peace talks as it calls for improved aid access

Russia's foreign minister, however, has said the talks in Geneva will be pushed back until the end of next month. Could a delay give Russian and US presidents time to line up their views on the country's future?

"There is no confirmation that the February talks are postponed," Yara Sharif, a spokesperson for Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, said Friday. "We're going to be sure when the special envoy is back" from talks next week with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, she added.

Her statement rebuts Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's annoucement earlier the same day that the UN-backed Syria peace talks scheduled to take place in Geneva on February 8 would be put on hold until the end of the month. He did not give a reason for the delay.

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WNU Editor: This is what Russia wants to focus on before the next round of talks .... Forces Not Adhering to Ceasefire in Syria to Be Eliminated - Moscow (Sputnik).

More News On reports That The Syrian Peace Talks In Geneva Have Been Postponed

UN Won't Confirm Postponement of Syrian Peace Talks -- VOA
Russia says Syria peace talks in Geneva pushed back -- AP
Date for next Syria talks thrown into question -- AFP
Russia's Lavrov says talks on Syria in Geneva postponed -- Reuters
Geneva talks on Syria postponed, Russia says -- Al Jazeera
Russia says Syria peace talks in Geneva delayed -- Euronews

Syrian Peace Talks End

Al Jazeera: Russia, Turkey, Iran agree plan to support Syria truce

The three nations also said they supported the willingness of the armed opposition to participate in UN-led talks.

Talks between key Syria war players in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, have ended with Russia, Turkey and Iran agreeing on a mechanism to support a delicate ceasefire.

The meeting, organised by Russia and Turkey and attended by the government and the armed opposition, was aimed at strengthening a nationwide ceasefire that has largely held despite pockets of violence, and at paving the way towards United Nations-led political negotiations in Geneva on February 8.

It was not immediately clear whether the opposition or the government backed the communique.

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More News On The End Of Syrian Peace Talks

Foreign powers back Syria truce deal, war erupts among rebels -- Reuters
Sponsors of Syria talks in Astana strike deal to protect fragile ceasefire -- The Guardian
Syria Talks End With Agreement to Observe Cease-Fire -- ABC news
Russia, Turkey and Iran Agree on Syria Truce Monitoring -- WSJ
Russia Enlists Iran to Enforce Syrian Truce Amid Tensions -- Bloomberg
Russia says draft of new Syria constitution handed to rebels -- AFP
Who's who in the Syria conflict -- AFP
The message from Syria summit: Russia wants a solution in its name -- Martin Chulov, The Guardian

Syrian Peace Talks Begin In Kazakhstan

Bloomberg: Russia’s Syria Peace Effort With Iran, Turkey Hits Obstacles

* Rebels won’t meet directly with Assad officials in Kazakhstan
* Meeting seeks to cement truce, encourage dialogue, Russia says

The joint initiative by Russia, Turkey and Iran to end the six-year war in Syria suffered a setback when opposition groups rejected face-to-face meetings with government representatives at peace talks in Kazakhstan.

“There will be no direct negotiations,” Osama Abu Zaid, a member of the opposition delegation, said after the meeting began Monday in the Kazakh capital, Astana. The rebels and the Syrian government will hold talks in separate rooms with mediation by Turkey and Russia, he said.

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More News On Syrian Peace Talks Beginning In Kazakhstan

Harsh exchanges make for a rocky start to latest Syria talks -- AP
Expectations low as Syria's warring sides meet -- Reuters
Syria conflict: War of words as peace talks open in Astana -- BBC
Syrian government, opposition enter first day of Astana talks -- DW
At Russia-led talks, Syrian rebels and government meet for the first time -- Washington Post
Syria peace talks: shaky start as rebels refuse to negotiate face to face -- The Guardian
Rocky start to Syria peace talks in Astana -- CNN
Syria's warring sides kick off talks in Astana -- Al Jazeera
Syria Truce Talks Under Way In Astana -- RFE
Syria talks set to begin in Astana as ceasefire holds -- Al Jazeera
Syrian armed opposition & Assad govt reps gather for talks in Kazakhstan -- RT
Syria rebels vow to continue fighting if Astana talks fail: Spokesman -- AFP
Syrian opposition: We’ll continue to fight if Astana fails -- Al Arabiya
Astana talks draft communique: Russia, Turkey, Iran to fight against IS, al-Nusra together -- TASS
Russian, Iranian, Turkish Delegations Holding Trilateral Talks on Syria -- Sputnik
Syria Peace Talks: Why Were Some Nations Invited and Others Not? -- Alexey Eremenko and Ziad Jaber, NBC

The U.S. Is Not Sending A Delegation To The Syrian Peace Talks.

Washington Post: Trump administration not sending a delegation to Syria peace talks

The Trump administration will not send a delegation to next week’s Syrian peace talks, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran, because of the “immediate demands of the transition,” the State Department said Saturday.

Russia’s ambassador to the United States had personally invited President Trump’s national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, to the meeting, scheduled to begin Monday in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. The Obama administration was not invited.

“The United States is committed to a political resolution to the Syrian crisis through a Syrian-owned process, which can bring about a more representative, peaceful, and united Syria,” acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. It said that the U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan would attend as an observer.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. government is in transition right now .... it is going to take a few months before key people have been nominated and vetted before policies are brought forward and implemented. It should be noted that it is Russia that is pushing for the U.S. to participate against the wishes of Iran, and it is Russia that pointedly made this offer to the incoming Trump administration and not to the Obama administration. But there will be a U.S. observer at these talks.

Will The Syrian Peace Talks Succeed?

The Guardian: Millions displaced and 500,000 dead – will new peace talks end Syria’s agony?

The latest attempt to end the six-year conflict has been organised by Russia and Turkey and begins in the Kazakh capital.

Key parties in Syria’s brutal civil war, now stretching towards the end of its sixth year, will meet in the Kazakh capital of Astana this week for a new round of peace talks.

Organised by Russia and Turkey, and backed by Iran, these are the latest in many attempts to shift Syria’s conflict from battlefield to negotiating table.

The conflict has already claimed up to half a million lives and displaced half the pre-war population of 22 million from their homes. But past efforts to end the fighting have come to little, hindered by everything from a lack of trust or any real interest in talks to the absence of powerful Syrian players and their foreign backers.

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WNU Editor: I have no reason to believe that these talks will succeed. The rebels are not united .... Syrian rebels bitterly divided before new peace talks (Reuters). Iran is really not on board .... Tehran and Moscow at loggerheads over Syria peace talks: Russia (Middle East Eye). And the Gulf states that have been supporting the rebellion are not even invited.

Russia Wants The U.S. At The Syrian Peace Talks. Iran Does Not

RT: Russia seeks invitation for US to Syria peace talks in Astana, Iran ‘against’

Iran says it rejects any participation by US representatives at the scheduled Syria peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he believes US and UN representatives should be invited to the meeting.

“We are opposed to a US presence [in Astana],” Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency.

“We have not invited them [US], and we are against their presence,” the official added.

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Update #1: Russia invites officials from incoming Trump administration to Syria talks (FOX News)
Update #2: Iran says it does not want U.S. at Syria talks in Astana (Reuters)

WNU Editor: The Russian government wants better relations with the U.S. .... the Iranians do not care (in my opinion the Iranians should care).

Syrian President Assad Ready To Discuss 'Everything' At Peace Talks

Reuters: Syria truce under strain; Assad ready to discuss 'everything' at talks

A Syrian truce brokered by Russia and Turkey was under growing strain on Monday as rebels vowed to respond to government violations and President Bashar al-Assad said the army would retake an important rebel-held area near Damascus.

Assad, in comments to French media, also said his government was ready to negotiate on "everything" at peace talks his Russian allies hope to convene in Kazakhstan, including his own position within the framework of the Syrian constitution.

But he indicated any new constitution must be put to a referendum and it was up to Syrians to elect their president.

His opponents have insisted throughout nearly six years of war that he must leave power under any future peace deal. But since Russia joined the war on his side in late 2015, his government's position on the battlefield has strengthened dramatically, giving him greater leverage now than at any time since the war's earliest days.

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More News On Syrian President Assad's Remarks That He Is Ready To Discuss 'Everything' At Peace Talks

Syria's Assad Ready to 'Negotiate Everything' With Rebels -- AP
Syria's Assad 'ready to negotiate everything', if conditions are met -- Euronews
Syrian government 'ready to negotiate on everything', Assad says -- The Independent
Syrian President Ready To Discuss 'Everything' With Opposition -- RFE
Bashar al-Assad: Everything on table in Astana talks -- Al Jazeera
Assad on Syria peace talks: ‘We’re ready to discuss anything, but who will be on other side?’ -- RT

Syrian Peace Talks Suspended Due To Ceasefire Violations

DW: Rebel groups in Syria suspend talks about peace negotiations

Syrian rebel groups have announced they are suspending talks about planned peace negotiations this month in the Kazakh capital, Astana. The rebels have blamed "violations" of the four-day old ceasefire deal.

After what rebels have described as "violations" of the current ceasefire, 10 non-jihadi rebel groups said Monday they have refused to participate in further talks about planned peace negotiations with the Syrian government.
"The regime and its allies have continued firing and committed many and large violations," read the statement, which was signed mostly by rebel groups under the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) umbrella.

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More News On Syria's Peace Talks Being Suspended

Syrian rebels say they froze talks on Russian-backed peace conference due to ceasefire violations -- Reuters
Syrian rebels announce freeze of talks about peace negotiations -- AFP
Syrian rebels freeze Russian-backed peace conference talks due to ceasefire 'violations' -- ABC News Online
Syrian conflict: Rebels threaten to boycott Astana talks -- BBC
Syrian opposition says talks about Astana freezed until regime stops violations, fully implements ceasefire -- Daily Sabah

Putin Announces Syrian Ceasefire To Begin At Midnight And The Start Of Peace Talks

RT: Agreement reached on ceasefire in Syria & readiness to start peace talks - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed agreement has been reached on a ceasefire in Syria and the start of peace talks.

“This agreement we’ve reached is very fragile, as we all understand. They require special attention and patience, professional attitude, and constant contact with our partners,” Putin said at a meeting with Russian foreign and defense ministers.

The agreement, which was previously announced by Turkey, is detailed in three documents, Putin said.

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More News On Putin Announcing A Syrian Ceasefire To Begin Across Syria Starting At Midnight

Putin declares Syria ceasefire: Live -- BBC
Putin says ceasefire achieved in Syria -- TASS
Syrian government, rebels sign cease-fire deal, says Russia -- AP
Russia announces ceasefire in Syria from midnight -- Reuters
Syria regime, rebels agree nationwide ceasefire -- AFP
Syria army, opposition confirm nationwide truce -- AFP
Syria conflict: Ceasefire agreed, backed by Russia and Turkey -- BBC
Syrian Government Announces Truce Backed by Russia and Turkey -- NYT
Cease-fire to begin across Syria starting at midnight, Syrian army says -- Washington Post
Syria, rebel groups sign cease-fire, Russian president says -- UPI
Syrian government and rebels have signed ceasefire deal, says Putin -- The Guardian
Could this be the end? Putin announces a ceasefire in Syria from midnight and a 'reduction' of Russian forces -- Daily Mail/AFP
Vladimir Putin Says Syria Cease-Fire Deal Reached, Hostilities to End Friday -- ABC News
Nationwide Syria Cease-fire Announced -- VOA
Putin: Russia, Turkey guarantee ceasefire in Syria -- Al Jazeera
Turkey and Russia 'agree' on nationwide Syria ceasefire -- Al Jazeera
Russia, Turkey Broker Syria Truce in Step Toward Peace Deal -- Bloomberg
Syrian Government, rebels agree to nationwide ceasefire -- ABC News Online
Syrian government, opposition agree to ceasefire -- DW
Putin and Erdogan discuss ceasefire in Syria -- TASS
Assad believes agreements on Syria lay grounds for stabilization 'for first time ever' -- TASS
Proposed Syria peace deal could slash Assad's power, report claims -- FOX News
Ceasefire in Syria comes into force at midnight December 30 -- TASS
Russia to cut military presence in Syria -- TASS
Fate of Syria ceasefire plan remains unclear -- Al Jazeera
What We Know About the Syrian Ceasefire Announced by Putin -- The Atlantic
Syria ceasefire deal: What we know so far -- RT

Russia: 'Syrian Peace Talks Have Been Postponed Indefinitely'

Reuters: Russia says resumption of Syria peace talks delayed indefinitely

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday a Western failure to rein in violent Islamists in Syria had indefinitely delayed the resumption of peace talks.

Shoigu said that rebels backed by Western governments had been attacking civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo, despite a pause in Russian and Syrian air attacks.

"As a result, the prospects for the start of a negotiation process and the return to peaceful life in Syria are postponed for an indefinite period," Shoigu said.

Separately, a Kremlin spokesman said that a temporary pause in Russian and Syrian government air strikes on Aleppo was in force for now, but could not be extended if the rebels in the city did not halt their attacks.

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More News On Reports That Russia Has Declared Peace Talks In Syria To Be Delayed Indefinitely

Russia says Syria peace talks halted indefinitely -- The Guardian
Russia: Syria peace talks postponed indefinitely due to rebel attacks -- UPI
Russia says Syria peace talks impossible in near future -- DW
Russia: Syria peace talks are 'indefinitely delayed' -- Al Jazeera

Syrian Peace Talks End In Failure

(From L-R), Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Iraq's Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Turkey's Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, speak together around a table during a bilateral meeting where they discussed the crisis in Syria, in Lausanne, Switzerland, October 15, 2016. REUTERS/Jean-Christophe Bott/Pool

Reuters: Syria talks in Lausanne end without breakthrough

Syria talks convened by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the Swiss city of Lausanne on Saturday evening failed to agree on a common strategy with Russia to end the conflict in Syria, now in its sixth year.

Kerry was seeking a new path to peace after failing to secure a ceasefire in direct talks with Moscow, one of Syria's key backers, amid mounting international outrage over the Russian and Syrian bombardment of rebel-held eastern Aleppo.

Kerry hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and seven foreign ministers from the region - from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt - weeks after the collapse of a painstakingly crafted U.S.-Russian ceasefire plan that many saw as the last hope for peace this year.

Kerry told reporters there was consensus on a number of options that could lead to a ceasefire, but conceded that there had been some tense moments during Saturday's talks.

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WNU Editor: I did not expect anything to come out from this meeting .... it was just a show. Everyone is now looking at what are their military options .... and no one is focused on peace talks and/or making compromises.