US May Work With Russia on 'Deconfliction' in Syria on 'Tactical Level'

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Leandra Bernstein — Asked about restoring regular military contact between the United States and Russia, Wormuth repeated "we are not at that point right now."

"If they [Russia] begin operations, there may be a need for tactical deconfliction, but that has not happened yet," Wormuth said of recent reports of Russian cargo flights into Syria.

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Russia had proposed military-to-military contacts with the United States on the situation in Syria. A political solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria with Russia’s assistance is still possible, he added.

US Defense Department Press Secretary Peter Cook said Tuesday that the United States had suspended military-to-military relations with Russia over Moscow’s alleged involvement in the crisis in Ukraine adding that Defense Secretary Ashton Carter had not had any talks with Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu so far.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with Assad’s government fighting against many opposition factions and extremist groups, including ISIL and al-Nusra. Russia, unlike many Western countries, considers Assad to be the legitimate authority in Syria, and has provided humanitarian aid and military equipment to the country.

Media reports fueling speculation about a Russian military buildup in Syria have been consistently dismissed by Moscow and Damascus.