Moscow calls to expand cooperation between Russian, US militaries in Syria

Russian Politics & Diplomacy June 02, 2016, 17:41

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stressed that the proposal to coordinate the efforts of the Russian and US militaries was Moscow's initiative

MOSCOW, June 2. /TASS/. The Russian and US militaries are coordinating their actions in Syria but this work should proceed more effectively, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

"This [the proposal to coordinate the efforts of the Russian and US militaries] was our initiative and we considered it extremely important to start coordination with the United States," Zakharova said.

"Our position is absolutely clear and explicit. Precisely coordinated efforts by the militaries can lead to the relevant results," she said.

"At first, the United States didn’t respond but then it grew aware of the need for coordination due ‘to the situation on the ground’ and now the militaries are maintaining contacts," the Russian diplomat said.

According to Zakharova, Washington sometimes "self-denies joint work."

"This doesn’t come out quite comme il faut: while dissuading others from interaction with Russia, they themselves are coordinating efforts with Russia," the spokeswoman said.

"But, apparently, the interests of the peaceful settlement have become more important than the sanctions interests," Zakharova said.

"Coordination is proceeding and we believe that this work can be broader and more effective for the process of the peaceful settlement," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.

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