The co-chairs of a special UN Syria task force, Russia and the United States of America, have agreed on a peace-plan for Syria.
A ceasefire in Syria is scheduled to come into effect at midnight on 27 February.
President Putin supports the deal and now heads for a political solution, a regional-power-sharing in Syria and a focus on ISIS.
He is more flexible than many observers thought.
He pushed the Syrian president to look for a way to compromise. Assad wants to have elections for the parliament April 13th.
Mr Putin had requested a telephone call with president Obama to discuss the cessation of hostilities. Their conversation opened the door to peace, and the joint Russian-US statement was released.
In a statement John Kerry wrote:
“I am gratified to see the final arrangements concluded today for a cessation of hostilities in Syria and call on all parties to accept and fully comply with its terms. If implemented and adhered to, this cessation will not only lead to a decline in violence, but also continue to expand the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian supplies to besieged areas and support a political transition to a government that is responsive to the desires of the Syrian people.
We are all aware of the significant challenges ahead. Over the coming days, we will be working to secure commitments from key parties that they will abide by the terms of this cessation of hostilities and further develop modalities for monitoring and enforcement.
This is a moment of promise, but the fulfillment of that promise depends on actions. All parties must meet their commitments under this agreement, ensure full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and cease attacks on each other, including aerial bombardments. And all parties must remain committed over a period of time to make possible a political end to this conflict.
As we move forward, we will remain vigilant to ensure that implementation achieves what we set out to do, which is to stop the violence and provide the space and the opportunity for a negotiated political transition, consistent with the Geneva Communique of 2012, that unites all Syrians who reject dictatorship and terrorism and want to build a new future for their country.”
Peace-talks between the rebels and the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad could re-start soon.
They stopped after Russia and the Syrian troops started to attack the rebels in Aleppo and other cities.
Daesh (IS; ISIL or IS) and the al-Nusra front will be excluded, as they are listed as terrorist groups by the UN Security Council.
Safe-Hope-Zones, as proposed by the World Security Network exclusively in GLOBALO on Saturday, should be established next.
First priority is to bring safety to the millions of Syrians without homes in the country.
11 million host housing. Four million fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Europe. 250,000 have died and one million wounded.
Needed are now actions on the ground, not nice words any more. And a better foreign policy to stabilize peace in Syria.