Syria's foreign minister is due for talks in Moscow later this month in the search for a breakthrough in the bloody civil war, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Wednesday.
"We want to have consultations in Moscow with Syria's foreign minister," Bogdanov said, Interfax reported. Bogdanov added that the visit by Walid al-Moualem was expected in late February.
Russia has dismissed Western criticism that it has been shielding Syrian Presiden Bashar Assad in nearly two years of conflict, and it says Syrians should decide their own fate.
Moscow has also said Assad's departure should not be a precondition for talks between Damascus and the opposition.
(Reuters)
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.