From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Kerry to visit Moscow for Syria talks
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSecretary of State John Kerry says he will travel to Moscow next week to discuss Russia’s withdrawal of forces from Syria and the political transition process in the war-torn country.
Kerry says he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin with an eye toward pushing peace talks forward in light of the new development, saying “we have reached a very important phase in this process.”
Earlier, warplanes and troops stationed at Russia’s air base in Syria started leaving for home after a partial pullout order from Putin the previous day, a step that raised hopes for progress at newly reconvened UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva.
Putin’s announcement took the US and many of its allies by surprise. US officials have said they are cautiously optimistic about what the withdrawal may mean.
The Times of Israel Community.