Russia asked Syria to halt bombings during talks: UN envoy

Russia has asked the Syrian regime to halt bombings during peace talks this week in Geneva, the United Nations envoy Staffan de Mistura said today, though a peace breakthrough seems unlikely.

"Russia announced to everyone that they have formally asked the Syrian government to silence their own skies during the talks," de Mistura told reporters at a meeting of the UN-backed ceasefire taskforce, on the eve of new negotiations aimed at ending the six-year conflict.

But the veteran diplomat signalled that limited progress was likely and "momentum" towards a deal was probably the most that could be hoped for when delegations for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition resume talks.
 

"Am I expecting a breakthrough? No, I am not expecting a breakthrough," de Mistura said, adding that he hoped this round could lead to further talks on a political solution.

The ground -- both in territory and diplomatically -- has shifted since the last round of talks broke up in April 2016, and the rebels are in a significantly weaker position.

Assad's army has recaptured the rebel bastion of eastern Aleppo, and the United States -- once staunchly opposed to Assad -- has said it is reassessing every aspect of its Syria policy under President Donald Trump.