Russian and Turkish governments have agreed the terms of a ceasefire in Syria, state media in Turkey reported.
The Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held a meeting yesterday in Ankara between Syrian opposition and the regime aimed at establishing a "permanent" solution to the ongoing crisis, according to Russian news agencies.
The general ceasefire proposal is planned to be presented to the Syrian government for consideration. A Syria civil war ceasefire will come into effect after midnight on December 29, the Anadolu Agency reports with reference to unnamed sources.
The agency said that terror groups, without mentioning which ones, will be not be part of the agreement.
It also reported that the peace process will go ahead in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana, supervised by Turkish and Russian leadership, if the ceasefire holds.
There has been no immediate confirmation from Turkey's Foreign Ministry, the Independent reports.
The head of the political research of the Center for Modern Turkish Studies, Yuri Mavashev, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, stressed that the Russian-Turkish agreement on the terms of a ceasefire is the only effective option to achieve a cease-fire in Syria. "In the situation that has developed in Syria, there are no good and bad options, there are only bad and very bad options. None of the agreements can be a one hundred percent guarantee, the Syrians themselves must come to the agreement. But at the same time, only the agreement between Russia and Turkey can achieve any real results," he noted.
"On the one hand, Turkey is on the border with Syria, on the other hand, Russia supports President Assad, their joint work is able if not normalize the situation, then at least stabilize it. We remember that before Russia and Turkey have settled their political conflict, there was no Ankara's 'Shield Euphrates' operation in northern Syria against terrorists, and Russia backed by the Syrian army could not advance in Aleppo. Now peace talks are possible, including a meeting in Astana," Yuri Mavashev said.
"Russia has influence on Iran, and Turkey - on Saudi Arabia, so I'm positive about this agreement. It is important to note that at last there are specific individuals for talks, because Russia and Turkey are contributing to the advancement of such negotiators who have credibility and are able to guarantee the fulfillment of agreements," the expert pointed out.
But it is necessary to understand that even if a comprehensive peace is reached in the country, the former Syria doesn't exist anymore. "The Syrians can no longer agree to a ceasefire. Today the situation in the country can be stabilized only with the participation of intermediaries. Therefore, the agreement between Russia and Turkey can be only welcomed," Yuri Mavashev concluded.
