It also called for the US and Russia to begin Monday discussing the terms of a Joint Implementation Center, where the USA and Russian militaries would coordinate efforts to strike against the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front.
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“We had always tried to persuade Mr. (Staffan de) Mistura, the United Nations secretary general’s special representative, that the Kurds must be allowed to join the talks, especially when the negotiation will go to the substantive discussions concerning the political structure of Syria”, Gatilov said.
Russian Federation began its air war the following year, claiming to be targeting ISIS, but has mostly targeted anti-regime rebels, including those backed by the U.S.
But the truce has so far been fragile, and Moscow has repeatedly blamed Washington for what it says is its reluctance to use its influence on some Syrian opposition units unwilling to stop fighting alongside the radical Jabhat Fatah al Sham organisation, formerly known as the Nusra Front.
Votel said the deal presents an opportunity for reducing violence in Syria, and to address a “horrible humanitarian situation”.
“I trust that our political leadership will do the right things and make the right calls [and that they have] a very good handle on that”, he added. “Our job will be to look at how we do that with the Russians”.
Congress authorized the ban on military cooperation after Russia’s illegal 2014 annexation of Crimea.
A newly brokered US ceasefire with Russian Federation in Syria violates 2014 USA legislation banning any military cooperation between the two countries.
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France’s foreign minister said on Thursday it wanted to receive the text of a ceasefire deal agreed between the United States and Russian Federation to ensure there was no confusion as to who was being targeted on the ground.
