Syrian ceasefire is priority for peace talks

Major powers sought at talks to re-impose a ceasefire across Syria and ensure aid reaches besieged areas, with Moscow and Washington deeply divided over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad and violence rumbling around the country.

The United States and Russia will help explore who is responsible for ceasefire violations, German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, after the talks in Vienna aiming to revive the February “cessation of hostilities”.

“The United States and Russia said they are ready to make progress on the technical level to be able to check who is (responsible) for breaking the ceasefire,” the minister told reporters.