The US refused to participate in the "Astana format" meeting on Syria in Sochi as observers, said Alexander Lavrentyev, the Russian President's Special Representative for Syria.
The international meeting on Syria in the "Astana format" (Russia, Turkey, Iran) is taking place in Sochi on February 16-17.
"We also sent an invitation to our American partners to participate in the conference, but unfortunately we received a refusal. Currently, the Americans are busy with domestic issues and apparently have not yet decided on the Syrian direction," Lavrentyev told reporters.
Delegations from Russia, Turkey and Iran, as well as from the Syrian opposition and the government, arrived in Sochi, Alexander Lavrentyev said.
He noted that the meeting was previously postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and was scheduled for September in Kazakhstan, but it could not be held because of COVID-19 restrictions.
"Nevertheless, we managed to prepare to hold this meeting now, in February. Delegations from the Republic of Turkey, from Iran, delegations from the Syrian opposition, the Syrian government have already arrived now," Lavrentyev said.
He added that a UN delegation led by UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy Geir Pedersen has also arrived in Sochi.
"In addition, delegations from (the office of) the High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross have arrived. Observers from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon have arrived," he said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from RIA Novosti