Mikhail Remizov: "The capture of Aleppo would open the way to a settlement in Syria on Assad’s terms"

By Vestnik Kavkaza
Mikhail Remizov: "The capture of Aleppo would open the way to a settlement in Syria on Assad’s terms"

A radical change is about to take place in the Syrian crisis. It will open the way for a peaceful settlement of the decades lasting conflict. Now the country is fighting for Aleppo. At the same time Russia and the international coalition led by the United States have fundamentally different views if respect of the new Syrian leader after terrorists are liquidated. The President at the National Strategy Institute, Mikhail Remizov, told in an interview with a Vestnik Kavkaza correspondent the battle for Aleppo to Damascus means to Moscow and Washington.

-  What are current disagreements between Russia and the United States on Aleppo, in your opinion?

- The US, its Western allies, and allies in the region are categorically opposed to fact that the Syrian army can take control over the city. The matter is that, in fact, it will mean an open road to the solution of the Syrian conflict on the conditions of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In their opinion, the part of the settlement must tied with the resignation of Assad, as well any military strengthening of the Syrian army and the official Damascus is considered as a step in the opposite direction from their model of the settlement.

- What is the most likely agreement between Russia and the US actions in Aleppo?

- It seems to me that no agreement will not be achieved. Now the question is: whether the United States will be able to repeat the episode of the spring when the Syrian army’s offensive was stopped and the plans to seize Aleppo were postponed. I think the West is putting pressure – both military and political – on the Syrian troops, trying to prevent them from intensification in this direction.

- How Damascus’s control over Aleppo will change the situation in Syria?

The changes will be very significant, as Aleppo the second largest city in Syria from the communication and economic viewpoints. Certainly, this won’t lead to the end of the conflict. In general, events are important from the viewpoint of the impact on the motives of the warring parties. When all kinds of insurgent groups and field commanders see that success tends to Assad, they are ready to negotiate and accept the rules proposed by Moscow, Tehran or Damascus. All significant success is important not only in terms of a strategic position that should be oner control, but also terms of impact on the negotiating positions of many parties of the conflict.

- How is Syria close to the end of the many-year-war and the transition to a peaceful settlement of the conflict, in your opinion?

- It seems to me that think that it has been far from this perspective, and it still remains far enough from it. Apparently, there is no rapprochement of the Russian and Turkish positions on Syria yet: Turkey defuse tensions with Moscow and managed to strengthen its position in this regional conflict, but it still sticks to its previous interests, goals and approaches.

- What should to happen to settle the conflict as soon as possible?

- A critical mass of those who are willing to negotiate in the camp of the opposition groups Damascus should increase. It requires the military successes of the Syrian army, such as control over Aleppo. Then the situation will be resolved in spite of everything that is said now on the military field.

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