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Conflict in Syria

Russian top diplomat says hopes US understands necessity of military cooperation in Syria

"Now, it is vital to implement what has been agreed. Sometimes we reach some agreements but our partners, as a matter of fact, are not very much willing to implement them," Lavrov said

© EPA/SVEN HOPPE

CONFLICT IN SYRIA

MUNICH, February 12. /TASS/. Military cooperation between Russia and the United States is needed to ensure success in the settlement of the Syrian conflict, and Moscow hopes Washington understands it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

"To have it [ceasefire] working operational instruments, cooperation between the military ‘on the ground’ is needed, both on humanitarian issues and on ceasefire issues," he said. "We have offered military contacts between Russia and the United States-led coalition since the very beginning of our operation in Syria at the request from the country’s government."

"Regrettably, the United States has been dodging cooperation in the military sphere, but for conflict prevention procedures," Lavrov said. "Now, I believe it has realized that progress in settling the Syrian crisis requires contacts between the military and that such contacts cannot be dodged any more. This approach was supported yesterday by the International Syria Support Group."

"Now, it is vital to implement what has been agreed. Sometimes we reach some agreements but our partners, as a matter of fact, are not very much willing to implement them," the Russian top diplomat noted. "I hope this time the situation will be different.".

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Syrian conflict

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