US Realizing Need for Military Cooperation with Russia: Lavrov
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The US has finally begun to understand that it needs to cooperate with Russia militarily if a solution to the crisis in Syria is to be found, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
“There is a need for quick response mechanisms and cooperation between servicemen on the ground (in Syria) both on humanitarian issues and matters regarding a ceasefire,” Lavrov said Friday on the sidelines of the 52nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany, RT reported.
“Unfortunately, the US has shied away from military cooperation (with Russia), with the exception of deconfliction issues. Now, I believe they understand that in order to move forward in resolving the Syrian crisis military contacts can no longer be avoided,” he added.
Lavrov urged the members of the International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) – which comprises the US, Russia, and the United Nations – to fulfill the agreements reached in Munich on Thursday.
The ISSG meeting, which aimed to help find a political solution to nearly five years of conflict in Syria, was held on Thursday in Bavaria, Germany, in the run-up to the MSC.
ISSG has worked out a plan to end hostilities in Syria with verifiable results within a week, revive the Geneva-3 peace talks, and immediately begin delivering humanitarian aid to civilians.
“Now, it is vital to implement what has been agreed. Sometimes we reach some agreements but our partners, as a matter of fact, are not very much willing to implement them,” he said.
“I hope this time the situation will be different,” Lavrov added.
He also expressed the hope that an agreement on military cooperation with Washington will lead to the establishment of a “truly joint front against terrorism,” which has been advocated by Moscow for a long time.