Valdai Club

Can we consider accidental almost simultaneous arrivals to Moscow of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister of Germany, John Kerry, US Secretary of State and Paolo Gentiloni, Italian Foreign Minister?

"Even if some of the visits were scheduled, the talks’ agenda was naturally associated with Syria. It should be noted that the Russian intervention in Syria, the role of the military component is very sufficient. Mainly because it was possible to change the balance of forces, favorable to start those negotiations. This demonstrates the increased role of Russia in the world and its particular impact on the situation in Syria"- said the expert in an interview to valdaiclub.com.

On March 24, at the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that thanks to military and political cooperation between Russia and the US it was possible to achieve significant results in the resolution of the Syrian conflict. "Many observers believed that the cessation of hostilities was something that cannot be achieved," – the US Secretary of State said.

On the same day, on March 24, another round of the Syria peace talks ended in Geneva. The next round is scheduled for early April.

According to Zvyagelskaya, the start of Syria negotiations was possible thanks to the US and Russia coordination. "In a rather tense relations between Russia and the United States, Syria has become an example that such coordination is necessary and possible in serious crisis situations", - the expert said.

"Putin has repeatedly talked about the need to combat terrorism, to create a broad coalition against the common evil, reminded Zvyagelskaya. - And Russia's participation in the military operation in Syria confirmed these words in practice. Recent terrorist attack in Europe is a terrible tragedy. Perhaps now the idea of a broad coalition will cease to be so unacceptable, as it was before."

Zvyagelskaya stressed that the start of negotiations on the settlement of the Syrian crisis is not yet a guarantee of their success. "Yes, the United States and Russia agreed on certain compromises regarding those delegations who must be present at the negotiations, the future of Assad, and some acute problems, which did not allow to start the negotiation process. - However, it is clear that this process will be very uneasy, "- expert stressed.

In this situation, according to Zvyagelskaya, especially important is to maintain normal cooperation between Russia and the United States. Moreover, regional powers could play a greater role in the resolution of the Syrian conflict. "And the success or failure of these negotiations will also largely depend on how Russia and the United States would be able to build their relationships with these regional partners", - the expert said.