Sergey Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed hope that the next round of Astana talks on settlement of the Syrian crisis will succeed in clarifying the joint vision as regards de-escalation zones, while also noting that some of the players on the Syrian geostrategic chessboard are playing a dishonest and dangerous type of game.
"A significant decline in military activities and terrorist violence has been recorded in particular areas of Syria, thanks to our new memorandum on establishing de-escalation zones within Syrian territory. I hope that the next round of the Astana talks will positively affect our common efforts, aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis and initiating the UN-sponsored talks that are planned to be held in Geneva, following the Astana meeting, in the first half of July," Lavrov was heard saying during a joint press conference with his Ethiopian counterpart Workneh Gebeyehu in Moscow, on Monday.
He noted the efforts are currently being made which would allow the memorandum on de-escalation zones to be fully implemented, a thing that would also significantly help to improve the humanitarian situation in these areas.
"The impression, based on the experience of fighting terrorism in Syria so far, is that the US-led "anti-ISIS" coalition and its allies are secretly providing cover for the Al Nusra Front/Tahrir Al Sham terrorists, or whatever they are called now. We have evidence they are being shielded during our strikes", Lavrov said.

"We consider this a very dangerous kind of game that has to be stopped immediately, no matter the interests in the background. We are dealing with a serious threat here", he further added.