MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia hopes NATO will understand the need to cooperate with Russia on counterterrorism, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said Tuesday.
"We expect our partners to gain an understanding, especially in light of the unprecedented mass atrocities committed by the infamous Daesh and other terrorism groups in the Middle East. But it is clear that the trust between us and NATO as partners in international anti-terrorism cooperation has sustained a serious blow," Syromolotov told RIA Novosti.
According to the deputy minister, the United States especially shies away from real cooperation.
"They avoid sharing intelligence data on Daesh facilities in Syria, while irresponsibly and groundlessly claiming that we are striking the wrong targets," he said, adding that Russia initially called for close military cooperation with the United States in Syria.
Both countries consider Daesh to be a terrorist organization and are carrying out airstrikes against the group.
"So far, [cooperation] is limited to the memorandum signed by our defense ministries on October 20, 2015, aimed at preventing incidents during Syria operations," Syromolotov stated.
