Speaking before Kerry’s arrival in Moscow, a state department official told Reuters that Kerry will raise his concerns over Russia’s continued bombing of Syrian opposition forces instead of fighters from the Islamic State Group and support of President Bashar al-Assad.
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Turkey says 8 migrants drown off coast of Izmir
A volunteer dressed as a clown gives balloons to refugee children at Victoria square in Athens , on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015. The wood boat capsized in high waves as it tried to cross from Turkey’s Izmir province to the Greek island of Lesbos.
Mr Putin and US President Barack Obama “over the last several months have discussed the issues relating to counter-terrorism”, Mr Lavrov told Mr Kerry. Kerry hopes to keep the momentum going with talks on Friday in NY, shooting for full negotiations to begin in January between the government and its opponents.
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In the two sessions I’ve overseen so far, I can not complain about the attitude or ambition. It means things are not going well. “But anyhow I’m glad to be back”.
Washington and Moscow are the key powers in the process, leading talks through the 17-nation International Syrian Support Group in cooperation with the United Nations.
Turkish strikes kill at least 110 Kurdish militants in 6 days
In recent years the PKK has been pressing for greater autonomy and rights for the Kurds, Turkey’s largest minority. The bomb was detonated while fighting between the security forces and PKK militants are ongoing in the district.
Russian Federation is disappointed by “ridiculous” White House comments ahead of Kerry’s visit that it’s internationally isolated, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said in a statement Monday.
One senior official travelling with Kerry said he would be exploring ways to bridge gaps on both the political transition as well as making the point that Russia’s military operations in Syria need to focus on Isil. News agencies on Monday quoted Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian army’s general staff, as saying his country was providing it with weapons, ammunition and material support, while a top Kremlin aide later said there was no such arrangement.
“So I very much look forward to our discussion now and appreciate the seriousness of your commitment of time and thought about these issues”, he added. Western allies Germany, Italy and Britain were to attend the talks, along with regional players in the conflict, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Government forces concentrated in Damascus and the centre and west of Syria are fighting the jihadists of Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, as well as less numerous so-called “moderate” rebel groups, who are strongest in the north and east. These groups are also battling each other.
“Russia and the United States agree that this is a threat to everybody, to every country”, he said.
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“Despite the fact that the defense ministries of [the USA and Russia] signed a memorandum on ensuring the safety of military aviation flights in Syrian airspace, Washington – which took the responsibility for the actions of the entire coalition it leads – hasn’t ensured compliance with the relevant provisions of the document by its ally Turkey”, the ministry said, RT reported. They are also at odds over Ukraine, where Russian Federation is supporting separatists in the east.
