Thread by @MSuchkov_ALM

PRESSER: #Russia's FM #Lavrov & #Jordan/ian FM Safadi:
1. Say they're satisfiedd w/ "close & useful interaction" over #Syria both in trilateral format (w/ #US in Amman) & via Astana where Jordan is observer.
Lavrov says #Rus appreciates JRD mediation b/n #SAA&opposition militants

2. #Lavrov, #Safadi discussed "some concrete measures of how to address issue of #Syria/n refugees in #Jordan."
Both reinforced need to comply w/ trilateral agreements over SW de-escalation zone,including,Lavrov stressed,"part on fight w/ #ISIS, #HTS that control 40% of the area"

3.#Lavrov said the SW zone "remains a priority" since as terrorists get driven out,conditions will be created for return of refugees,incl those based now in #Jordan.
#Moscow insists broad international coop needed to restore #Syria's infrastructure,create jobs...

4. #Russia's message virtually is those w/ money shouldn't politicize either politically condition their investments into #Syria's restoration.#Moscow calls for repeal of sanctions (over #Damascus) for they "hamper return of refugees"

5.Another issue on agenda-#Israel/i-#Palestine.#Lavrov says #Rus worried over "unilateral approaches" to the issue(alluson to #Trump "peace plan"?)#Russia calls for "direct dialogue" b/n conflicting parties, ),#Moscow ready to foster such dialogue itself or within ME quartet

6.Asked abt situation in Deraa #Lavrov says de-escalation agreement implies offensive on #ISIS.#HTS & that #US assumed responsibility to separate "opposition groups it controls" from terrorists,adds"it doesn't always happen...many of those who used to work w/ US now joined Nusra"

7. #Lavrov says this led to regular offences on #SAA & thus had to be countered "which is what #Syria/n army now doing w/ support from #RuAF",adds #Rus "simulateously helps #SAA strike agrments w/ opposition,have them lay down arms",prasies #Jordan's contribution in the process

8. #Lavrov asked if he worried that Deraa may be new E.#Aleppo or E.#Ghouta (De Mistura's analogy),says he'd be more worried "over repetition of situation in #Raqqa where refugees still can't return",says #US never "positively addressed" #Rus offers for joint demining of the area

9.IMPORTANT:#Lavrov:"In SYR there're forces that are there upon gov invitation& those that stay illegally.#US #Rus agreements over SW SYR imply that gradually there will be no non-Syria forces #SAA will control border w/ #Israel.No mercy for #ISIS,#HTS.#Russia mostly did its part

10. #Lavrov continues "#Rus focus is now to ensure our partners (cough, #US) carry out what they promised within those [SW SYR] agreements.They should first stop seeking pretexts to not fight terrorists in the area,to not drive them out from the area..."

11. #Lavrov on #Iran in #Syria: We see ths issue being circulated in Western media in simplified way:"IRN should leave&then everything will be just fine"&not just in SYR but the rest of ME. It's absolutely unrealistic. No way to solve region's problems w/ot IRN.KSA,JRD,EGY,others

12.#Lavrov: All states in ME have their own duties,many have claims vis-a-vis one another.But every problem around the globe shld be approached by first sittign down& negotiating this claims,then looking how to address them.Same in #Syria.

13. #lavrov: "#US proposed to have a meeting b/n myself & @SecPompeo.We agreed but yesterday over phone #Pompeo said his schedule very busy & there's no way for us to see each other before the summit in #Helsinki. We agreed to meet after the summit preparation for which underway"

@ak_mack