Russia's Putin says Syrian government, opposition sign ceasefire deal

Record ID: 162677

  • Title: Russia's Putin says Syrian government, opposition sign ceasefire deal
  • Date: 29th December 2016
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 29, 2016) (RUSSIAN POOL) MEETING BETWEEN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV AND DEFENCE MINISTER SERGEI SHOIGU (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "Three documents have been signed. The first document is between Syrian government and armed opposition on ceasefire on the territory of Syrian Arab republic. The second document is a complex of measures to control the ceasefire regime. And the third documents is a statement of readiness to start peace talks on Syrian reconciliation." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "The agreements reached are of course fragile and need special attention and involvement for their preservation and development. But nevertheless, this is a notable result of our joint work, efforts by the defence and foreign ministries, our partners in the region." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "I agree with the suggestion by the defence ministry to reduce our presence in Syria meaning that we will of course continue fighting international terrorism and will provide further support to the lawful Syrian government in fighting terrorism." PUTIN SPEAKING (MUTE)
  • Embargoed: 13th January 2017 13:23
  • Keywords: Russia Syria ceasefire Vladimir Putin Sergei Shoigu Sergei Lavrov
  • Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015EXS0UF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (December 29) that Syrian opposition groups and the Syrian government had signed a number of documents including a ceasefire deal that would take effect at midnight on the night of Dec. 29-30.
    Speaking at the meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Putin said that three documents which open the way for solving the Syria crisis were signed earlier on Thursday.
    The documents include a ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the opposition, measures to monitor the ceasefire deal and a statement on the readiness to start peace talks to settle the Syrian crisis, Putin said.
    "The agreements reached are, of course, fragile and need a special attention and involvement... But after all, this is a notable result of our joint work, efforts by the defence and foreign ministries, our partners in the region," Putin said.
    He also said that Russia had agreed to reduce its military deployment in Syria. Lavrov said that the ministry has started preparations for the meeting on Syrian crisis resolution in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
    Putin's announcement followed a statement carried by Syrian state news agency SANA, which said the Syrian army would begin a ceasefire at midnight. The statement said the agreement excluded Islamic State, the group formerly known as the Nusra Front and all groups linked to them.
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