but syria's ally russia denies the assad regime is behind a chemical attack foreign minister sergei lavrov says the reports are an attempt by rebels to provoke fresh fighting. for. their only goal is to be smirched and to demonize the government forces to accuse them of all possible deadly sins and military crimes in order to continue actions in the eastern regions . russian president vladimir putin's demand for humanitarian pause offers hope of a much needed rest bite in eastern guta. and will that so-called humanitarian pause really come into effect to talk about that i'm joined here at the big table by marcus com he is a middle east analyst with germany's jute for international in security affairs here in berlin it's good to see you again see so now we're hearing that the russian president vladimir putin has ordered this polls to start tomorrow