Russia has provoked United Nations special envoy Kofi Annan on Friday to work with the Syrian activist and a Foreign Ministry source stated it would push the idea at talks with Annan in Moscow on Monday.
Russia has repeatedly supported President Bashar al-Assad at the United Nations. Security Council since the beginning of the uprising in Syria 16 months ago, but held talks with the Syrian opposition this week at which it was urged to do more to cease the ferocity.
A ministry source told RIA news agency that Annan would talk over the crisis with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Monday, though neither Russia nor the envoy have declared the visit.
“To be honest, we don’t ascertain our partners being as ready (as Russia) to work with the opposition, and Kofi Annan is the principal go-between of this process,” Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov was quoted as telling by Interfax.
“Unluckily, as yet we do not ascertain any pragmatic consequences from his and his team’s contact with the opposition,” he stated.
Annan’s 2nd visit to Russian Federation since his appointment as special envoy for Syria follows Lavrov’s meetings in Moscow with week with 2 delegations of Syrian opposition leaders.
No mention was made of Annan holding talks on Monday with President Vladimir Putin or Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Russia has sent what foreign diplomats say are contradictory signals that could point to a shifting attitude over Syria as it looks for ensuring it keeps a foothold in the pivotal Middle East country if its friend Assad goes.
Moscow stated on Thursday it wouldn’t agree to a threat of sanctions to cease the conflict in Syria as the United Nations Security Council started negotiations on a resolution to broaden a monitoring mission in Syria.
