Osi this has always been the Russian position from the start. They have been consistent from the start regarding the will of the Syrian people to decide their own fate, their leader, Constitution etc. Not what the West, Iran or anyone else dictates for the Syrian people.
The Russians even offered their services to help amend their constitution towards a more federalist model similar to how the Russian operate that ensures regions have a degree of autonomy, rights such as language and wealth sharing of resources (i.e Chechnya). The Syrians even took that advice seriously on board, which how the Druze have moved to greater autonomy and other minorities in Syria like the tribal areas. The war has just prevented a more systematic approach. They just need to formulate it more officially instead of tweaking which is what the reconciliation agreements do in assisting to try to resolves certain ethnic and local grievances.
