http://neurope.eu/article/kerry-lavrov-set-preliminary-road-map-syria/

Kerry and Lavrov agree on a road map for Syria and open a door for progress in Ukraine

By NEOnline | IR

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The visit of US State Secretary John Kerry to Moscow yielded what appears to be a road-map for a transitional government in Syria; tangibly, there needs to be an intermediate government that will lead Syria to a new constitution.  Mr. Kerry was responding directly to what was considered a goodwill gesture of Russia’s partial troop withdrawal.
Syria
The first milestone will be a new constitution, which of course requires a constituent assembly with the participation of all stakeholders, government and opposition.  This agreement puts the pressure on negotiating parties to come to an understanding on political transition on the ground. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, insisted there should be “direct talks” that must results in a “transitional government structure.”
Secretary Kerry confirmed the objectives.  There was no statement on the political future of Bashar al-Assad.
In parallel, a first round of talks between the Syrian government and the opposition in Geneva was concluded on Thursday evening, resulting in what UN envoy Staffan de Mistura described as “a lot of common ground.” The talks will start again in April.
Ukraine
Kerry and Lavrov reiterated a commitment to the Minsk Accords. But, Kerry linked a toll back of sanctions on Russia with the full implementation of the accords by the self-proclaimed republics of Donentsk and Lugansk.
Commenting on the health of Nadezhda Savchenko, Lavrov commented there was no reason for concern and that it was being monitored. Detained since 2014, Savchenko, a Ukrainian Air Force officer was found guilty of murdering two Russian journalists and of illegal border crossing on Monday. Kerry said that at some point “we will be able to address the issue of Savchenko.”http://neurope.eu/article/kerry-lavrov-set-preliminary-road-map-syria/