DUSHANBE, September 15./TASS/. The Kremlin does not rule out the possibility of any dialogue with the US on the Syrian settlement, but there has been no arrangement on this so far, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.
"We have always repeated that we don’t not rule out a dialogue and believe a dialogue is necessary, as there is no other way for the explanation of each other’s positions, for attempts to find consensus and understanding," he said.
However, ‘It is impossible so far to discuss the format /of a dialogue/ without having any agreements or signals," he said, commenting on statements by the press secretary of the White House on the possibility of a dialogue between Moscow and Washington.
He said "prospects for the settlement, of course" should be discussed in this dialogue. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest did not rule out new negotiations on Syria between the US and Russian presidents, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin.
"I certainly wouldn't rule out future presidential-level conversations on this topic and others," Earnest said. He said relationship between the two presidents "allows them to be pretty blunt with one another".
The two presidents last discussed Syria on the telephone on June 15. In reply to a TASS query then, Peskov said a dialogue of Russia and the US on Syria continued, the presidents understood each other, but this did not mean their consensus on the issue.
"The presidents always understand each other, but it is another matter whether they agree or not," he commented on the query whether Putin and Obama understood each other on the issue during the telephone conversation.
Russia cannot be isolated
According to the spokesman, the Kremlin is sure that there can be no international isolation of Russia and Moscow remains an important member of the international community.
"As for Russia’s isolation, then unfortunately, we have seen and heard of this rhetoric over the past year. The price of these words is rather relative," said Peskov.
"Russia was, remains and will remain a responsible and very important and active member of the international community," Peskov said.
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He added that "the robust international activity of the head of Russian state shows the total inadequacy of this rhetoric."
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said earlier that Russia could face international isolation should it continue providing support to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Earnest reiterated that Russia’s additional support for the Assad regime would be "destabilizing and counterproductive." "We would certainly welcome Russia’s constructive engagement in the strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL [Islamic State]," he said.
Absurd to set Russia against other countries in Syria efforts
According to Peskov, it is absolutely absurd to set Russia against other countries in the efforts for settling the situation in Syria.
"No doubt, we’re pursuing common goals and we have absolutely identical views that it is necessary to settle the disastrous situation, which is observed in Syria, and that efforts are needed for the struggle against the disastrous spread of the zone of influence of the so-called Islamic State," the Kremlin spokesman said.
"In this regard, there are no divergences and it is absolutely absurd in this case to set the efforts, which Russia is taking, against the efforts being taken by other countries," Peskov said.