This article views the reasons of emergence and development of civil war in Syria, and also the main political actors counteracting each other. The purposes and objectives of a counter-terrorist operation of the Russian Federation in Syria are analysed. The main contradictions and problems between Russia and the USA, the European countries, and also the states of the Persian Gulf on settlement of the Syrian conflict are shown. The special attention is paid to the analysis of risks and costs of the counter-terrorist operation which is carried out by Russia. Formats of negotiation process on settlement of the Syrian conflict are considered.