Russian-backed peace talks on Syria in Astana have been pushed back, Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry said Thursday.

Moscow earlier said that it was calling a fresh round of negotiations in the Kazakh capital for June 12-13 to try to shore up four de-escalation zones agreed in May between the co-sponsors of the talks Russia, Iran and Turkey.

Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry said it had been told representatives from the three powers would meet in their separate capitals in the “upcoming days and weeks”.

“The sponsor countries intend to inform Kazakhstan in the future about the timeframe, level, attendees and agenda they agree for the next round of Astana talks,” ministry spokesman Anuar Zhainakov was quoted as saying by Russia’s RIA Novosti.

There was no immediate confirmation from Moscow, Ankara or Tehran on any new date for talks.

At the last round of negotiations in May attended by Syrian government and foreign-backed armed opposition delegations, Moscow, Tehran and rebel supporter Ankara agreed to establish four de-escalation zones to ease fighting in areas controlled by the armed opposition.

Source: AFP