The statement was quickly condemned by opposition representatives, including Riyad Farid Hijab, head of the High Negotiations Committee.

[6] On 10 February, the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov called for a direct conference between the government and the opposition, in contrast with the indirect talks held in Astana, Kazakhstan from 23 to 24 January.

[8] On 22 February, the day prior to the planned talks, Staffan de Mistura stated that the peace conference would be based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.

The resolution called for the end of attacks on civilians, the exclusion of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the al-Nusra Front, the establishment of a multiethnic society that include all religious and ethnic groups in Syria, the creation of a new constitution of Syria, and the conduction of a free and fair election within 18 months.

[5] On 29 March 2017, the Kurdish National Council withdrew from the Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee in protest of the HNC's policies.