‘Proxy War’ in Syria Risks Turning Into Direct War - Mogherini

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned that a proxy war among regional and international powers in Syria could still turn into a direct war.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – A "proxy war" on behalf of regional and global powers in Syria can turn into direct warfare, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Tuesday.

"We have to keep in mind, even with the positive steps that have taken place in the last weeks, that a new escalation might still happen any time, that the regional situation remains very tense," Mogherini said in opening remarks to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The EU envoy warned that "a proxy war among regional and international powers could still turn into a direct war."

"This is something we must always keep in mind all through our work," she added, stressing the importance of political efforts to settle the five-year conflict and a peaceful transition in Syria.

The Russia-US brokered cessation of hostilities between Syrian government and rebel forces took effect on February 27, as the latest round of indirect intra-Syrian negotiations is scheduled to begin in Geneva on March 9.