- Title: Russia's Lavrov says some European countries consider wrecking Syria peace talks
- Date: 17th January 2017
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JANUARY 17, 2017) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE BY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SERGEI LAVROV, IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SERGEI LAVROV, SAYING: "In the situation of entire deadlock created by the position of some European countries, first of all by those which courted this High Committee on Negotiations, in this situation us and our Turkish colleagues put forward these proposals." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SERGEI LAVROV, SAYING: "With Turkey's and our mediation, representatives of Syrian armed forces and armed opposition reached ceasefire agreements. These agreements have been unanimously approved by the UN Security Council and they must be followed." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV, SAYING: "I hope that some Western countries which felt left out of these agreements will not try to wreck them just to make it worse for everyone. We receive such information but hope that a responsible approach will prevail over desire to remind about themselves and to take revenge." MEDIA LAVROV GETTING UP, LEAVING
- Embargoed: 31st January 2017 12:35
- Keywords: Russia Syria talks
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0015ZGY69Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday (January 17) he had information that some European countries were considering wrecking Syria peace talks because they felt left out.
Lavrov, speaking to journalists at a news conference, said he hoped European countries would not make attempts to wreck the talks.
Syrian rebel groups have decided to attend peace talks backed by Russia and Turkey in Kazakhstan to press for full implementation of a ceasefire they say has been widely violated by the government and its Iranian-backed allies.
Russia, President Bashar al-Assad's most powerful ally, set the new diplomatic effort in motion after Syrian rebels suffered a major defeat last month by losing the rebel-held districts of eastern Aleppo.
The United States, which led failed efforts to launch peace talks last year, has not been involved in the latest diplomacy. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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