Sergei Rudskoy

Comment: The Syrian ceasefire is playing out as predicted. Relatively few groups joined on. Those who did have largely abided by the truce agreements; residents are returning to towns, aid is flowing into rebel-held areas, and fighting has diminished in the towns and villages in question. But last week, the Russian military revealed that groups included on the U.S.'s list of truce-abiding groups have been violating the ceasefire. After being stonewalled by the U.S., the Russians are now vowing to take the ceasefire into their own hands starting tomorrow. Here's the U.S. response:
"We have seen the media reports on alleged Russian concerns over ceasefire violations," the official stated. "Whoever is making such statements must be misinformed, because these issues have been discussed at length already, and continue to be discussed, in a constructive manner."
Perhaps this "U.S. official" considers stonewalling to be a constructive attitude towards a situation on which lives depend.


On February 25, the Russian Defence Ministry sent a draft proposal on ceasefire observe and control in Syria through military-diplomatic channels to the US representatives following provisions of the Joint Russian-American agreement on ceasefire in Syria.

The document contains consultation process between the Russian Federation and the United States of America in case of receiving information about ceasefire violations and usage of military force against formations, which violate ceasefire obligations systematically. The Russian Defence Ministry considers that such procedures are to form an effective mechanism for controlling and suppressing potential ceasefire violators in Syria.

Having received viewpoint of the US representatives, the Russian side developed a compromise draft agreement and sent it on March 5. Moreover, the Russian party suggested holding consultations as soon as possible in order to let experts approve the text of the agreement.

However, the Russian-American consultations, which had been held in Amman on March 18, showed that the American party was not ready for particular discussion and approving of the agreement text.

It is unacceptable to drag out agreed rules of reaction on ceasefire violation in Syria. Syrian people are dying every day in course of provocations and shelling attacks.

The Russian party states about its readiness for finishing the work over the document as well as receiving the American delegation in Moscow or holding session in any acceptable place for both sides.

Starting from March 22, the Russian Federation will follow unilateral rules of the Agreement in case of the US reaction is absent.

It is to be stressed that the military force will be used after receiving evidence of systematic violations of obligations taken by armed formations within implementation of the Joint Russian-American Agreement on ceasefire in Syria (February 22, 2016).


Comment: Head of the Russian Federation Council's defense committee Viktor Ozerov added:
"If terrorists disguise themselves as moderate opposition and declare that they have joined the ceasefire regime, while only doing so in order to achieve favorable conditions for new attacks, of course, Russia cannot overlook this," Ozerov told RIA Novosti.

Military force will not be used against formations, which follow the ceasefire regime, as well as peaceful population and civilian facilities.