Kerry acknowledged the merits of Russia in establishing a truce in Syria – RBC

US Secretary of State John Kerry

Photo: Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

The head of the Department of State, John Kerry conceded the merits of Russia in establishing a ceasefire in Syria. However, the Russian version of a political settlement in the country, Kerry said, “is not mandatory to carry out»

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that without the participation of Russia failed to achieve the establishment of a cease-fire in Syria. This statement was made head of the State Department, in an interview to CNN.

«We would not have reached the original ceasefire [in Syria] without Russia’s participation. And, without exaggeration, tens of thousands of lives have been saved “, -. Kerry said

When asked what makes him believe that Russia is a partner of the US in an attempt to establish a ceasefire and a political settlement in the country, while Russia is a partner of Assad, Kerry said that there are still many problems to be solved

«Russia is interested in, not to get caught up in all of Syria, -. Secretary of State added. – If Russia wants to avoid the quagmire in Syria, she really need to find a political solution »

At the same time, Kerry said the United States is working with Russia on a truce in Syria, know that option. political settlement, proposed by Moscow, “is not necessarily unworkable option».

The Secretary of State also emphasized that any agreement on Syria is, in the end, nothing more than “words on paper”. However, the talks, he said, created a “mechanism” in which the parties can “talk and coordinated.” The main thing, he said, to bring the agreements into effect. In the meantime, this can not be achieved, he said. «We are looking for all sorts of methods to execute the agreements”, – said Kerry.

On Tuesday night, Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov held a telephone conversation, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. The conversation took place at the initiative of amerkianskoy side. Were discussed including “overcoming the conflict in Syria, through the consolidation of the country in the cessation of hostilities, in addition to the fight against terrorist groups and support mezhsiriyskogo negotiations in Geneva under the auspices of the UN.”