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![Putin says the deal reached with Obama on Monday “is a real chance to stop the bloodshed in Syria" [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/250217988_8-e1456217246284.jpg)
Putin says the deal reached with Obama on Monday “is a real chance to stop the bloodshed in Syria” [Xinhua]
Moscow says that it agreed with Washington that the ‘ceasefire’ would begin at midnight on February 26.
In a televised address on Russian TV, Putin said the cessation of hostilities would “radically turn around the situation in Syria”.
“During our conversation, we approved joint statements of Russia and the US, as co-chairs of the [he 17-member International Syria Support Group] ISSG, on the cessation of hostilities in Syria. Adoption of the statement was preceded by intensive work by Russian and American experts,” Putin said.
The Russian president also said that his country’s and American troops will jointly “delineate the territories where the [anti-government groups] are active”.
The main Islamist opposition groups fighting to depose Syrian President Bashar Al Assad also agreed to the plan provided Russia ends its bombing campaign of their positions, allow unfettered humanitarian access to besieged areas, and release prisoners.
Putin pledged that the Russian military will not attack these forces as long as they observe the tenets of the ceasefire in effect.
The United Nation’s Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan De Mistura, called the announcement very encouraging.
The White House said this was an opportunity to end the violence.
“President Obama welcomed that an understanding was reached between the United States, Russia, as well as other partners in the International Syria Support Group, on the terms,” a White House statement said.
Russia and the US also agreed to set up a communications ‘hotline’ to facilitate the exchange of information on the cessation of hostilities, monitor compliance and for urgent matters.
According to the agreement, Syria’s warring parties should make clear “their commitment to and acceptance of the terms for the cessation of hostilities” by no later than 12:00 (Damascus time) on February 26.
But Putin on Monday reiterated Moscow’s position – agreed by the ISSG – that Russian bombardment of the Islamic State and the Al Nusra extremist group will continue.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Centre for Policy Research (SCPR) says that 470,000 people have been killed and a further 1.9 million wounded in the Syrian Civil war – accounting for 11.5 per cent of the population.
In financial terms, SCPR estimates that material losses could reach $255 billion.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
