Syrian Crisis Resolution Impossible Without Russia - German CDU Party

Armin Laschet, a vice-chair of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party said that it's helpful that Russia will participate in the reconciliation process in Syria.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) – It will be impossible to resolve the Syrian crisis without Russia's investment in the process, a vice-chair of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party told Sputnik on Tuesday.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of the bulk of the country's forces in Syria as they have broadly accomplished their counterterrorist mission there, with the remaining groupings tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities, in effect since February 27.

"You can't solve the Syrian crisis without Russia. It's not possible for the United States alone to bomb terrorists and think this is the way to peace. You need both powers, you need the international community, and therefore it's helpful that Russia will participate in this process," Armin Laschet said at the World Culture Festival in New Delhi.

Laschet further pointed to Russian cooperation with the United States in reaching the deal with Iran on ensuring the peaceful nature of Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief as a harbinger of Syrian reconciliation.

Russia played a critical role in negotiating the Syrian ceasefire on February 22, described by stakeholders and observers as generally holding despite intermittent violations.

The cessation of hostilities has been ongoing against the backdrop of resumed "substantial" proximity talks between Syrian government opposition delegates on Monday, mediated by Special UN Envoy Staffan de Mistura.