“Lavrov and Kerry met in Switzerland as fighting in Syria became more intense, complicated by the introduction of Turkish ground forces”.
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Russian Federation last week gave its blessing to a weekly pause in fighting in Aleppo for 48 hours to allow aid in, but de Mistura said other unspecified parties are still blocking an agreement.
On the role of Kurdish forces in the conflict, Kerry said that the USA intends to continue working with them, but does not support the creation of an independent Kurdish state.
Earlier this week, Samir Aita, a member of the Syrian Democratic Forum opposition party, told Sputnik that the United States should be pursuing practical cooperation with the Syrian regular army, just like Russian Federation has been pursuing practical cooperation with the armed opposition, in order for a lasting ceasefire to be achieved in Syria and for terrorists to be defeated.
Following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, Kerry said there are still “a few narrow issues to be resolved” before a lasting accord can be reached.
“We are ready, trucks are ready, and they can leave anytime we get that message”, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on Thursday told reporters in Geneva, where negotiations on humanitarian aid delivery and a cessation of hostilities are under way.
US officials say it is imperative that Russian Federation use its influence with Syrian President Bashar Assad to halt all attacks on moderate opposition forces, open humanitarian aid corridors, and concentrate any offensive action on the Islamic State group and other extremists not covered by what has become a largely ignored truce.
The White House on Thursday said it supported United Nations efforts to bring all sides together to deliver humanitarian relief to Aleppo and would welcome Russia’s constructive engagement.
Mr. Kerry said earlier this week that technical teams were nearing the end of discussions but it was unclear if the powers would complete things.
The meeting marked yet another attempt to find common ground on easing a conflict that has killed at least more than 250,000 people and spurred millions of Syrians to seek refuge in Europe.
Kerry said the United States is seeking to enlist neighboring countries that have influence in Syria to help separate rebel forces from the Nusra group, which recently renamed itself Fateh al-Sham Front and renounced its affiliation with Al-Qaeda.
The Turkish-backed fighters have seized the Syrian border town of Jarabulus from the Islamic State (IS) group, while Turkish forces have also shelled a Syrian Kurdish militia that it considers to be a terror group.
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“I don’t want to spoil the atmosphere for the negotiations”, he said.
