Moscow, Washington Close to Reaching Deal on Syria - Russian Deputy FM

Moscow and Washington are about to reach a deal on Syria, Russia's deputy foreign minister said.

HANGZHOU (Sputnik) — Moscow and Washington are close to reaching a deal on Syria, which could help to differentiate terrorists from opponents of Damascus, who are ready for political process, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Sunday.

"I will say that we are close to reaching a deal [with the United States]… there are no grounds to expect that everything would collapse," Ryabkov told reporters.

Ryabkov added that at the same time he could not predict the date, when it would be announced about the reached agreement.

"I think that this agreement could allow us to better understand, where are the terrorists that pose threat, including for Russia… and where are people, who do not consider the incumbent Damascus authorities as legitimate, but are ready to participate in a political process," Ryabkov said, answering a question about the possible contribution of the agreement to the situation in Syria.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups. On February 27, a US-Russia brokered ceasefire came into force in Syria. Terrorist groups, which maintain a heavy presence in Aleppo, are not part of the deal.