Russia Set to Police Syria Safe Zones Backed by Iran, Turkey
- UN special envoy to Syria says de-escalation plan is good step
- Tension remains as opposition protests at signing ceremony
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting in Sochi on May 2, 2017.
Photographer: ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Russia said it’s ready to send peacekeepers to Syria as it won backing from Turkey and Iran for a plan to establish safe zones inside the war-torn country in an effort to shore up a shaky cease-fire brokered by the three powers.
The three countries signed a memorandum on the creation of so-called de-escalation areas on Thursday after two days of talks in Kazakhstan that also included representatives of the Syrian government and rebel groups. Opposition leaders distanced themselves from the plan, saying they can’t accept Iran as a guarantor of the truce and that they want “clear and tangible” guarantees the deal will be enforced. The U.S. also expressed doubts.