Russia hopes for Syria talks in Astana on July 4-5

Moscow hopes the sides involved in Syria peace talks will meet in Kazakhstan's capital Astana on July 4-5, Russia's deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Saturday, TASS news agency reported.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that talks between Russia, Turkey and Iran to discuss these zones would take place in the Kazakh city of Astana in early July.

Russia and Iran back Assad against rebels supported by Western powers, while both sides, aided by Sunni powers such as Saudi Arabia, fight against Daesh militants.