the space and the opportunity for a negotiated
political transition"

I don't believe Assad's call for election & this signed ceasefire are happenstance occurrences

The United States of America and the Russian
Federation, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG)
and seeking to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis with
full respect for the fundamental role of the United Nations, are fully
determined to provide their strongest support to end the Syrian conflict
and establish conditions for a successful Syrian-led political
transition process, facilitated by the UN, in order to fully implement
the Munich Statement of the ISSG on February 11th, 2016, UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the 2015 Vienna Statements and the 2012 Geneva Communiqué.
In this regard, and in furtherance of the February 11th
decisions of the ISSG, the United States and Russia, asUnited States, as co-chairs of the ISSG, their
commitment to and acceptance of the terms for the cessation of
hostilities by no later than 12:00 (Damascus time) on February 26, 2016.
In order to implement the cessation of hostilities in a manner that
promotes stability and protects those parties participating in it, the
Russian Federation and the United States are prepared to work together
to exchange pertinent information (e.g., aggregated data that delineates
territory where groups that have indicated their commitment to and
acceptance of the cessation of hostilities are active, and a focal point
for each side, in order to ensure effective communication) and develop
procedures necessary for preventing parties participating in the
cessation of hostilities from being attacked by Russian Armed Forces,
the U.S.-led Counter ISIL Coalition, the Armed Forces of the Syrian
government and other forces supporting them,