US Opposes Russian Draft Resolution on Syria

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States has opposed Russia’s draft statement on Syria ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York, US Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs Sheba Crocker told reporters.

"We have informed Russia that we do not support a council presidential statement on the matter in advance of their Security Council ministerial," Crocker said on Thursday afternoon.

Crocker explained the United States is concerned that a council presidential statement could be perceived as "endorsing an approach that could set back efforts to reach a negotiated political transition in Syria," and is "at significant variance" with the ongoing efforts of the anti-Islamic State coalition.

The US-led anti-ISIL coalition consists of 62 nations, including all of Syria’s neighbors.

Earlier on Thursday, the White House confirmed that US President Barack Obama and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will meet at the UN General Assembly session on Monday in New York to discuss the situations in Syria and Ukraine.

Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011 as the country’s opposition factions and Islamist extremists, including the Islamic State and Nusra Front, fight the Syrian government forces.

The annual general debate at the UN General Assembly will take place on September 28 — October 3.