Peace negotiations in Syria. Putin's eye on Iran and Libya

15th “Astana accord” summit ongoing since yesterday in Sochi. In addition to representatives of Damascus and the opposition, there were also personalities from Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Iran, Iraq and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. US representatives absent. Naval exercises with Iran. Support for the government of Cyrenaica.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - In the Black Sea city of Sochi, the umpteenth negotiations for the pacification of Syria began yesterday, the 15th summit of the so-called "Astana agreements". Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Iran, Iraq and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees are taking part in it.

The Norwegian diplomat Geir Otto Pedersen also arrived in Sochi as the representative of the UN Secretary; there are observer delegations from Lebanon and Jordan, as well as members of the International Red Cross.

Under the presidency of the Russian delegate for Syria, Aleksandr Lavrentev (photo 1), efforts will be made to bring the Syrian government representatives and the leaders of the opposition forces into dialogue.

Speaking to journalists on the eve of the meeting, Lavrentev noted that exactly 10 years ago, on February 17, 2011, "the first peaceful demonstrations were held in Syria, with requests for social reforms", after which the war began. civil.

Lavrentev added that the Americans were also invited to the negotiations, but in the US "they currently have other things to do", which causes considerable unease due to the American sanctions pending on the current Syrian leadership. "We cannot allow collective punishment of the Syrian people," said the Russian diplomat.

The big unresolved question remains the fight against terrorism. Lavrentev pointed out that in recent times "there is a new activism of sleeper cells" of ISIS, which has also led to new armed clashes. The situation in Idlib also remains unresolved, the last outpost outside Damascus’s control, where over two million refugees are amassed (photo 2). For this reason, the collaboration of the opposition forces is expected, to free Idlib from the ISIS guerrillas.

Syria, but also Iran and Libya

Russia entered the Syrian scenario in 2015, taking the side of the Assad regime. In 2017, the Russian headquarters declared victory over the terrorist armies, even though the clashes in fact never ended. In 10 years of war there are over half a million deaths in Syria; nearly 7 million refugees are currently in various countries around the world.

It is clear to many observers that in this rather confused phase of geopolitics, Russia is trying to shore up its positions. And this also to compensate for the widespread instability in the former Soviet territories, as well as the dissatisfaction within the country, especially after the return and arrest of Alexei Navalnyj.

Not surprisingly, just as peace talks are underway in Sochi, the Russians have sent a series of warships from the Baltic fleet to the Gulf of Oman, in the north-western part of the Indian Ocean, to organize manoeuvres "of joint training” between Russia and Iran (photo 3). The result of the joint manoeuvres is aimed at elevating Iran to the level of the major naval powers, thus also defending the interests of the Russians.

After all, Russia has also worked to strengthen its positions in Libya, in the partition of the country between pro-Russian Cyrenaica and pro-Turkish Tripolitania (photo 4). In addition to military equipment, the most spectacular operation is the dividing line traced in the desert between the two parts of the country, already renamed by many observers the "Vladimir Wall", which recalls the imperial style of the Russian president, with observation fortresses similar to the ramparts of the Moscow Kremlin.

The criticisms of Putin from various quarters within Russia, and resoundingly re-launched by Naval’nyj investigations, also concern the waste of money in financing all these "campaigns" on the international stage. While trying to put Navalny himself out of action for good, awaited by a new series of trials and probable convictions, and to keep street protests under control (easier operation with the -20 degrees of winter in recent weeks), Putin therefore wants shore up his "domains" for future years.