"The scenario is a little better than a few months ago, but still it is difficult to see a definite settlement. The situation certainly improved, but the agreement between Russia and the United States needs time and work to have a long-term consequence," Prodi, who is also a former European Commission president, said.
On February 22, Russia and the United States reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Syria. The ceasefire came into force on February 27. It does not apply to the Islamic State or the Nusra Front, terrorist groups outlawed in a number of countries worldwide including Russia and the United States.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and terrorists operating in the country. Negotiations on Syria's reconciliation between Damascus and the Syrian opposition have resumed on March 14 in the Swiss city of Geneva and are expected to run until March 24.
