MOSCOW, December 15. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday at the beginning of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry that he plans to discuss with Kerry US proposals in the sphere of Syrian settlement.
"Minister [Sergey] Lavrov has reported to me in detail on your proposals too, and on some issues requiring additional discussion. I am very glad to meet you and talk on all these issues," Putin told Kerry.
"You know that we are jointly seeking solutions to the most acute crises. I know that after our meeting in Paris, the American side drafted its vision of a solution to a number of problems, including the Syrian crisis," the Russian leader said.
He said Moscow sees how many efforts the US Secretary of State is making "to settle a number of very acute problems."
"We need more time to follow you, your movements," Putin said smiling. "I see you need to get enough sleep."
Russian military operation in Syria
Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, which are banned in Russia, on September 30, 2015, on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The air group initially comprised over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-24M, Su-25SM and state-of-the-art Su-34 aircraft. They were redeployed to the Khmeimim airbase in the province of Latakia.
On October 7, four missile ships of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants’ facilities in Syria. On October 8, the Syrian army passed to a large-scale offensive.
In mid-November, Russia increased the number of aircraft taking part in the operation in Syria to 69 and involved strategic bombers in strikes at militants.
Targets of the Russian aircraft include terrorists’ gasoline tankers and oil refineries.
According to UN statistics, fighting between Syrian government troops and militants has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions since its start in 2011.