Russia offered assurances on Tuesday that the Syrian government will show up at a new round of peace talks next week.
A portrait of President Bashar al-Assad and the Cuban flag outside the UN headquarters in Geneva. Photo: AFP (file)
The comments appear to be aimed at easing concerns about President Bashar al-Assad's commitment to peace talks in Switzerland.
Deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Russia is certain the government will attend.
"We have no doubt that the government delegation will take part in the second round of international talks in Geneva," he said.
The first round ended on Friday.
Russian officials also say that Syria will soon ship more toxic agents out of Syria for destruction under a deal brokered by Russia and the United States, to elimate its chemical weapons arsenal.
"The Syrian government is slowing down the destruction of its chemical weapons ... Bashar al-Assad's government must respect the commitments that it has made," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Europe 1 radio on Tuesday.
Russia has said Western concerns are overblown and rejected accusations that the delays are deliberate, citing security and logistical issues.
