Russia Insists on Syria Opposition, Terrorist Lists Prior to New York Talks

Russian envoy to UN Vitaly Churkin said that UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura should play a key role in forming the delegation of Syrian opposition that will ultimately meet with Bashar Assad government officials for reconciliation talks.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — Lists of oposition forceas and terrorist groups in Syria must be coordinated and finalized before the proposed new round of Syria talks take place, Russian envoy to UN Vitaly Churkin said Friday.

US State Secretary John Kerry announced on Tuesday that a fresh round of Syria reconciliation talks in Vienna format would be held on December 18 in New York.

"As to the December 18 meeting, in order to set the final date and place for the meeting in Vienna format, it is crucial to achieve a consensus on the list of participants — to determine who is terrorist and who is not," Churkin said in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti.

"We must know with whom we can negotiate, and with whom we cannot. It is a key condition," Churkin stressed.

The Russian diplomat added that UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura should play a key role in forming the delegation of Syrian opposition that will ultimately meet with Bashar Assad government officials for reconciliation talks.