U.S., Russian defence chiefs talk

WASHINGTON U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter called his Russian counterpart Friday, the first step in direct military talks proposed by Russia about Moscow’s military buildup to support the Syrian government against ISIL.

The 50-minute conversation marked the first time that American and Russian defence chiefs have spoken in more than a year amid U.S. anger over Russia’s invasion and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region.

It came as the U.S. has been flummoxed over how to respond to Russia’s increased support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, and worries it would interfere with the ongoing U.S. and coalition campaign against ISIL militants in Syria.

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said Carter and Russia Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had a constructive talk about the need to “de-conflict” the Russian buildup with the anti-ISIL effort.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov issued a statement noting that “the course of the conversation has shown that the sides’ opinions on the majority of issues under consideration are close or coincide. The ministers noted the restoration of contacts between the countries’ defence ministries and agreed to continue consultations.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in London that U.S. President Barack Obama believes military-to-military discussions with Russia are “an important next step” as the U.S. and its allies seek to resolve a worsening Syria crisis while also trying to understand Russia’s burgeoning role. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov first broached the idea earlier this week in a phone call with Kerry.

“This (Syria) crisis has got to be solved,” Kerry said before meeting with the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed.