Fate of January 25 Intra-Syrian Talks Undecided – Russian Envoy to UN

Russian Permanent Envoy to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said that there is some uncertainty as to whether negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition on January 25 in Geneva will be held or not.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The holding of the talks between the Syrian government and opposition on January 25 in Geneva is still questionable, since the sides cannot agree on the lists of the people they want to meet with, Russian Permanent Envoy to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said Tuesday.

On Monday, UN Security Council President for January Elbio Rosselli said no other date other than January 25 for the reconciliation talks was being considered.

"Just six days remain, while there is some uncertainty as to whether these negotiations will be held or not. The point is that, as [UN Special Envoy for Syria] Staffan de Mistura complained, one and the other party objects to the participation of certain individuals in these negotiations. And he [de Mistura] would not like to be in a position, when he sends invitations for the talks, whereas either one or both sides refuse to participate in them," Churkin told Rossiya 24 television.

Vitaly Churkin also stated that deployment of ground troops to Syria has not been discussed at international forums.

This has not been under discussion," Churkin said, responding to the relevant question.

Churkin reminded that US special forces were currently active in Syria, but only a very limited number of them.

"No, of course, neither the Americans, nor any of the Western states, and not only the Western participants of this drama, I believe, would send their ground troops to Syria," Churkin added.

He also reminded that UN resolution 2254 of December 18, 2015 stipulated the launch of the intra-Syrian negotiations in January.