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Conflict in Syria

Kremlin: No connection between Putin-Trump discussion of Syria and coalition’s strikes

The US-led coalition recently struck Al-Qaeda positions in north-west Syria

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, July 1. /TASS/. The strikes of the US-led international coalition on positions of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda (outlawed in Russia) in north-western Syria are not linked with the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held on Friday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday.

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"There is definitely no connection here," he said.

"I have no details [on these strikes]; I recommend you addressing our military," he added. "However, I can say that there is no connection [between the strikes and the held leaders’ meeting]," Peskov repeated.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported, citing a statement made by the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), that the US-led international coalition declared on Monday a strike on positions of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in north-western Syria. The operation targeted Al-Qaeda’s militants in Syria responsible for plotting attacks threatening the lives of US citizens, partners and civilians, the statement says.

Putin held a separate bilateral meeting with Trump last Friday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan’s Osaka. The agenda included the developments in Syria, including in the Idlib Governorate.

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