Kerry in Russia for Syria Talks after Brussels Attacks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Moscow for talks on Ukraine and Syria as the bomb blasts in Brussels underscored the urgency of fighting terrorism.
Kerry departed Washington late Tuesday after accompanying President Barack Obama to Cuba and speaking by phone from Havana with the Belgian foreign minister to offer condolences for the victims of the attacks and any assistance Brussels might need.
In talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday, Kerry is to discuss the fragile truce in Syria that hopefully will spark UN-brokered peace talks amid disagreements over how to verify and respond to alleged violations, the State Department said.
His visit was arranged following Putin's surprise announcement last week of Russia's partial military withdrawal from Syria, AP reported.
Russia on Monday warned the United States that it will start responding unilaterally to cease-fire violations in Syria if the US refuses to coordinate rules of engagement against violators. The State Department, however, insisted that Moscow and Washington are working constructively to monitor the truce. The department also warned Russia against taking unilateral action in response to alleged violations.
