Needed of an impartial mediator

Moscow is seeking to broker peace talks between Syrian government and opposition figures by engaging in explanatory talks with the two sides before convening a peace conference in Moscow.

The Syrian state news agency SANA confirmed that there are “ongoing discussions” with Russia to plan a meeting that would be a prelude to a peace conference in the Russian capital.

Damascus appears ready and eager to start peace talks with the opposition under Russian auspices.

At the same time, Russian special envoy for the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov confirmed that there were also some contacts with the opposition groups for this purpose, but these preliminary contacts seem to be doomed to fail.

The Syrian opposition has roundly rejected any peace conference organised or convened by Moscow.

“It’s outrageous that the very nation funding Assad’s annihilation of the Syrian people suddenly claims to be a peacemaker,” a senior adviser to the West-backed Syrian opposition coalition said.

“Moscow has no credibility in this mission,” he added, clearly dashing hopes that the two parties would agree to talk.

It may be good that Moscow is working to seek an end to the civil war in Syria, but its impartiality is doubtful.

Russia has said and done nothing so far to promote its image and role as a peacemaker. It never stopped to consider the position and grievances of the opposition.

Stepping forward now in an attempt to play a mediating role in the Syrian conflict may be good public relations, but the initiator of the move lacks credibility.

Moscow might still be able to change the way it is perceived by adopting an impartial stance.

That would involve condemnation of indiscriminate bombings, rejection of the policy that aims to kill or starve the Syrian people, or deprive it of medicine, endorsing the effort to establish safe havens in some areas, extending aid and support to the millions of Syrian refugees that fled the terror in their country, demanding accountability for all crimes against humanity or war crimes committed in Syria and, above all, calling for an all-inclusive political solution that gives all sides a voice and a role.

Short of that, Moscow’s attempt to initiate talks between the Syrian parties involved in fighting lacks legitimacy.