Russia begins ceasefire talks with Syrian opposition groups

On February 24, Russia said it had begun ceasefire negotiations with opposition groups in five Syrian provinces and cities.

The statement came just days after Moscow and Washington reached an agreement to halt fighting in the Middle Eastern country.

Syrian government troops at a checkpoint in the city of Ain al-Hanash, eastern Syria. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, Moscow's newly opened coordination center in Syria has "begun working with representatives of groups from various regions of the provinces and cities of Hama, Homs, Latakia, Damascus and Deraa."

Meanwhile, according to a VNA reporter in Washington, on February 24, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he had spoken with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and the two sides would soon meet to discuss the planned "ceasefire" agreement in Syria, expected to take effect on February 27.

On the same day, US President Barack Obama expressed caution about the plan to end the fighting in Syria in the context that the main opposition in this country has not responded about whether they agree with the ceasefire agreement proposed by Russia and the US.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, President Obama pointed out that if some progress was made in Syria, it would lead to a political process to end the five-year war in the country.

As such, he is cautious about setting expectations in this regard.

In another development, on February 24, the United Nations launched its first humanitarian airdrop in Syria to help civilians besieged by militants of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS)./.

According to Vietnam+