MOSCOW (Sputnik) – "A blunt answer could be that we have a relevant agreement, an agreement with the Americans, on the prevention of conflicts," Zakharova said in an interview with the Rossiya 1 channel, when asked about the possibility of any conflicting episodes between US and Russian forces in Syria.
"But the situation is a lot more complex," the foreign ministry spokeswoman added, pointing to the persistent danger of terrorists spread in Syria and difficulties in the peaceful resolution of the civil war in the country.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups, such as Islamic State (ISIL, also known as Daesh) and Jabhat Fatah al Sham (also known as al-Nusra Front, or Jabhat al-Nusra), both of which are banned in Russia and a range of other countries.
On September 9, Russia and the United States reached an agreement for a peace process in Syria. A ceasefire stipulated by the deal entered into force on September 12, but while it was supposed to last at least seven days for the next steps to be taken toward the Syrian settlement, it disintegrated soon.
Both Syrian government forces and the "moderate" opposition claimed the other side had violated the truce.
On Monday, the US State Department announced it was suspending bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain a cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria. Russia responded with suspending a number of agreements with the United States including those on cooperation in scientific research and development in nuclear and energy sectors and the plutonium disposal agreement.
