MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Defense Ministry proposed setting up a consultation center in Amman, Jordan, to coordinate operations in Syria with other Western nations, including the United States, but the proposal was declined, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Friday.
“We proposed this, first and foremost, to the Americans and other Western countries to create a joint consultation center to solve issues of cooperation. We suggested Amman as a possible location [for the center], but we were declined,” Antonov told journalists.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu requested a telephone conversation with the Pentagon’s Ashton Carter on January 19, but that was also declined as being unnecessary.
“Our minister suggested holding a telephone conversation with Ashton Carter. This was on January 19. We were given the understanding that such a conversation is unnecessary,” Antonov added.