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Russia proposes military talks with U.S. on Syria: Kerry

Xinhua, September 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Russia has proposed military talks with the United States on Syria and the Obama administration is weighing the offer, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday.

"The Russians proposed ... that we have military-to-military conversation and meeting in order to discuss precisely what will be done to deconflict with respect to any potential risks that might be run and to have a complete and clear understanding as to the road ahead and what the intentions are," Kerry told reporters after meeting with South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

Amid increasing U.S. concern about Russia's military buildup in Syria, Kerry stressed the importance of avoiding misunderstanding and miscalculations about the situation in the war-torn country.

In a telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Tuesday, Kerry said that Russia's continued support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad risks exacerbating and extending the conflict in the country, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department.

Kerry also stressed that there is no military solution to the overall conflict in Syria, which can only be resolved by a political transition away from Assad.

The Pentagon said Monday Russia's recent military buildup in Syria indicated that it intended to create a military base in the country.

"We have seen indications in recent days that Russia has moved people and things into the area around Latakia (Syria's coastal province) and the air base there that suggests that it intends to establish some sort of a forward air operating base," Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said. Endit