Russia-US Talks over Syria Continue amid Rifts

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov. File photo, EPA/BGNES.

Talks in Geneva between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US counterpart John Kerry regarding the situation in Syria are going on for a second day Friday.

The two are at the helm of large diplomatic delegations including both diplomats and arms experts.

But as diplomatic efforts continue, there are reports of lasting significant rifts between the position of the two countries.

The US has welcomed a Russian plan for the handing over of Syrian chemical weapons to international control and ultimate destruction.

However, the US has also insisted that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad steps down from his position.

The States have also continued to insist on their allegations that it was Assad who used chemical weapons in the civil war.

Both points are inadmissible for Russia.

Another issue of contention is whether the plan needs to be implemented via a UN Security Council resolution, with the US backing such a move, while Russia insisting it is not needed.