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Russia proposes Syria cease-fire, U.S. remains skeptical

By Amy R. Connolly
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, seen here on October 1, said Russia has proposed a ceasefire in war-torn Syria and is waiting for a response from the United States. Photo by Monika Graff/UPI
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, seen here on October 1, said Russia has proposed a ceasefire in war-torn Syria and is waiting for a response from the United States. Photo by Monika Graff/UPI | License Photo

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Russia proposed a cease-fire in war torn Syria on Thursday, drawing skepticism from the United States and other nations during continuing Syrian peace talk attempts.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the country made a proposal for a cease-fire and is waiting for a response from the United States. The announcement comes as the 20-member International Syria Support Group meets in Germany to end the five-year Syrian civil war. The United States is also pushing for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian relief.

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"We made proposals on implementing a cease-fire, quite specific ones," Lavrov said. "We are waiting for a U.S. response before putting them before the International Syria Support Group."

Russia called for the cease-fire to begin March 1, but the United States was skeptical of the proposal for fear it will give the country and the Syrian government time to crush rebel forces.

Secretary of State John Kerry was in Munich to join the 52nd Munich Security Conference and met with Lavrov behind closed doors.

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