US and Russia announce Syria truce

The United States and Russia announced on 22 February 2016 they had reached an agreement for a 'cessation of hostilities' in Syria starting on 27 February 2016.

The exclusion of groups such as the al-Nusra Front and ISIS was highlighted as a potential problem by Syrian rebels.

In a statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini said on the 23 February 2016 'The agreement announced by the US and Russia, as co-chairs of the ceasefire task force established by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), of which the EU is part, on the terms of a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria is good news and a step in the right direction. It is fully in line with the decision taken by the ISSG in Munich' on the 11 February 2016.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Syria 'Ceasefire' Is a Missed Opportunity http://www.europeansources.info/record/syria-ceasefire-is-a-missed-opportunity/

ESO: Background information: Top diplomats to meet in Munich for Syrian peace effort http://www.europeansources.info/record/top-diplomats-to-meet-in-munich-for-syrian-peace-effort/

The Guardian, 22.02.16: US and Russia agree to enforce new Syria ceasefire http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/22/us-and-russia-agree-to-enforce-new-syria-ceasefire

The New York Times, 22.02.16: U.S.-Russia Deal on a Partial Truce in Syria Raises More Doubt Than Optimism http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/world/middleeast/us-russia-cease-fire-in-syria-obama-putin.html

Sputnik International, 23.02.16: China Welcomes Russia-US Deal on Ceasefire in Syria http://sptnkne.ws/aGgz

RT, 22.02.16: Ceasefire in Syria to commence at midnight on Feb. 27 – Russia & US https://www.rt.com/news/333275-russia-us-syria-ceasefire/

The Moscow Times, 23.02.16: U.S., Russia Agree on Partial Cease-Fire in Syria http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/us-russia-agree-on-partial-cease-fire-in-syria/560455.html

The Independent, 22.02.16: Syria ceasefire: Putin vows to put pressure on Assad regime as date for US-Russia brokered deal is confirmed http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syrian-conflict-us-and-russia-announce-ceasefire-to-begin-at-weekend-a6889731.html

Washington Post, 22.02.16: United States and Russia agree to a partial cease-fire in Syria https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/united-states-and-russia-agree-to-partial-ceasefire-in-syria/2016/02/22/4917d08e-d97f-11e5-925f-1d10062cc82d_story.html

Euronews, 22.02.16: US and Russia broker ceasefire for Syria http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/22/us-and-russia-broker-ceasefire-for-syria/

TIME, 22.02.16: Kerry Hails Deal With Russia for Syria Ceasefire http://time.com/4232839/syria-civil-war-ceasefire-russia-us-john-kerry/

BBC News, 22.02.16: Syria conflict: US-Russia brokered truce to start at weekend http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35634695

EU: EEAS: Statement, 23.02.16: Statement by the HR/VP Federica Mogherini on cessation of hostilities in Syria http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160223_01_en.htm

Euro|Topics: Debates, February / March 2016: Ceasefire in Syria raises hopes of peace http://www.eurotopics.net/en/154379/will-the-guns-soon-fall-silent-in-syria

The Guardian, 04.03.16: European leaders urge Russia to maintain Syria ceasefire http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/04/european-leaders-urge-russia-to-maintain-syria-ceasefire

BBC News, 29.02.16: Syria: Mixed verdict on fragile truce http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35669523

Deutsche Welle, 03.03.16: Progress 'visible' in Syria ceasefire, says UN envoy http://dw.com/p/1I6Ct

ESO: Background information: The Russian-American declaration on Syria: a success for Moscow http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-russian-american-declaration-on-syria-a-success-for-moscow/

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