美俄围绕叙利亚战争恢复高级别面对面外交接洽

As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry headed into another round of talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, the American diplomats accompanying Kerry sought to downplay expectations of an imminent deal on a Syrian cease-fire.

“We can\'t guarantee in any way we are on the cusp of finality,” said one U.S. official.

But Kerry, who spoke by telephone with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at least four times Wednesday and Thursday, was optimistic enough to fly back to Switzerland for what is expected to be no more than a single day of negotiations.

The sticking points, for days, have been described by U.S. officials as “technical matters.” A key one, it has been revealed, involves ensuring “there will not be a siege of Aleppo,” according to a second State Department official who spoke to reporters aboard Kerry\'s plane. “It\'s not simply \'stop shooting,\'” he added, explaining that overall the larger goal remains clearing the way for a transition stage to new leadership in Syria after a cease-fire holds.

There is considerable skepticism that a nationwide, sustainable cease-fire - the immediate goals as it has been repeatedly characterized by State Department officials - can hold for any period of time.

Syria is fractured after five years of war. There are numerous client forces of questionable allegiance and discipline pitted against each other, in addition to the so-called Islamic State group, which is beholden to no one.

Russia wants to see Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stay in power while moderate opposition forces and Turkey insist there can be no transition deal that retains him for any period of time.

The United States long-held stance is that the Syrian leader, for his brutal acts, cannot lead any future government.

一名美国官员说，“我们不能保证达成最终协议”。不过，克里星期三和星期四同拉夫罗夫通过至少四次电话后保持乐观，周五一早飞回瑞士，准备展开估计不到一天的谈判。

几天以来一直胶着的问题被美国官员形容为技术问题。美国国务院另一名官员在飞机上告诉克里随行的媒体说，一个关键问题是要保证阿勒颇不会发生围城的情况。他补充说，不仅仅是停止射击，并解释说，更长远的目标是在停火后为叙利亚新领导层过渡铺平道路。

外界对美国国务院反复描述的当前目标，即达成叙利亚全国范围内可持续的停火协议能够撑多久，抱持相当的怀疑态度。

五年战争让叙利亚分崩离析，除伊斯兰国自成一体，其他派别相互对立，各有不同效忠。

俄罗斯希望叙利亚总统阿萨德继续担任总统，但温和的反对派势力和土耳其则坚持，如果阿萨德留任，就不可能达成任何过渡协议。

美国的一贯立场是，鉴于阿萨德的残酷行径，不能让他作为未来政府的领导人。