Russia announces cease-fire between Syrian government, rebels
On Thursday, Russian state media announced a cease-fire between the Syrian government and Syrian rebel groups, set to take effect at 12 a.m. on Dec. 30. "Reports have just arrived that several hours ago there was a development that we all have looked and worked for for so long," Russian President Vladimir Putin said. "Three documents have been signed. A cease-fire between the Syrian government and the armed opposition is one. A package of measures to control the cease-fire is another. And a declaration of readiness to enter into peace talks on a settlement in Syria is the third."
Turkey will act with Russia as a "guarantor" of the peace process, effectively sidelining the United States. There is still some question about if the cease-fire will hold, as several similar attempts between Turkey and Russia in Aleppo failed before an eventual cease-fire finally allowed for evacuations of rebels and civilians.
Turkey, like the U.S., supports the opposition groups in Syria while Russia is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's primary ally.
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