Further Escalation 'Will Lead to Unpredictable Consequences in Syria'

Moscow hopes that the conflict in Syria will become alleviated following the negotiations between the representatives of the Arab state’s government, opposition and mediators, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council's Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Syrian peace talks come following the agreement between the United States, Russia and Jordan on a ceasefire in southwestern Syria starting at noon on July 9 after talks between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The United States and Russia have committed themselves to ensuring the implementation of the ceasefire.

"I think we are waiting for a real result. Given all the differences with the United States, this is the point where the interests coincide. This is why everything is so heated and further escalation will lead to unpredictable consequences in Syria," Dzhabarov said.

Dzhabarov noted that he was concerned the existing agreements between Moscow and Washington would never be implemented, especially since the US Congress was mulling an amendment that would ban the establishment of joint groups with Russia.

The Russian official also drew attention to the fact that Moscow and Washington already had an agreement on joint work in the sphere of cybersecurity and noted that "there is no certainty that the US side will fulfill all the arrangements."

At the same time, there is the decision on cooperating on the organization of deescalation zones on Syrian territory, Dzhabarov added.

In addition, Dzhabarov linked the increase in the Syrian opposition groups’ work intensity as part of the talks on Syria to Turkey’s influence on them.

Negotiations on Syrian settlement take place on two parallel platforms: UN-mediated Geneva talks, and Astana talks that are brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran. The latest talks between Syrian government representatives and opposition leaders kicked off in the Swiss city on Monday.