Syrian peace talks to resume with expectations low
(World News Russia)

Geneva: UN-brokered Syrian peace talks resume in Geneva on Thursday, but hopes of a breakthrough are dim, clouded by persistent violence and deadlock over the country’s political future. On the eve of the talks, 10 months after the last round of negotiations in the Swiss city, Russia called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop his bombing campaign during the discussions. But just hours after rival delegations arrived, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura admitted there was limited ground for progress on making peace. “Am I expecting a breakthrough? No, I am not expecting a breakthrough,” the veteran diplomat said, noting that “momentum” toward...