The congress, which President Vladimir Putin first mentioned earlier this month, may take place in mid-November at Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi. Alexander Lavrentyev, head of the Russian delegation to the Syria talks in Kazakhstan, said that the UN in principle supports the congress. He said the congress will focus on seeking “compromise solutions towards the political settlement” of the Syrian conflict.

The same day, the seventh round of peace talks aimed at ending the Syria conflict will begin on Monday in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana with the participation of Russia, Turkey, and Iran. The two-day meeting will conclude with a mutual statement.