There is no doubt that the United States and Russia see the civil war in Syria very differently. Russia has clear regional designs and fewer compunctions about the means to achieve them than does the West. But recent weeks have also provided a different view of Russia: It is also pushing hard to find a diplomatic solution.

When the latest United Nations talks on Syria ended last weekend with no progress, they threw a light on separate, Russian-backed talks in Kazakhstan, which are moving toward a plan for “de-escalation zones” and humanitarian corridors.

Clearly, Russia has its own interests in controlling the peace process. And nothing could come of its talks. Finding a plan that both the West and Syria’s kaleidoscope of groups can support will be exceedingly difficult. But it’s important to recognize the country's legitimate effort to end the calamity.

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