Russia is urging the Syrian government to follow through on its pledge to hold talks with the opposition, as Moscow intensifies diplomatic efforts to bring an end to 21 months of conflict in Syria.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday he urged senior Syrian officials during meetings earlier this week to demonstrate they are open to discussing the "widest possible range of issues."
Russia has been a staunch defender of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but has in recent weeks seemingly grown impatient with the government's role in the conflict that has left an estimated 45,000 people dead.
Earlier Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the RIA Novosti news agency Moscow has sent an invitation for talks to the Syrian National Council, the main exiled opposition group recognized by many as the legitimate government of Syria.