Russia, US Trying to Unite Over Political Solution to Syria Crisis

Following talks in Vienna, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that Russia and the US are both trying to find a political solution of the Syrian crisis.

VIENNA (Sputnik) – Russia and the United States are attempting to coordinate their efforts aimed at the launch of the political crisis settlement in Syria, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Friday.

"I had a chance to meet with [US] Secretary [of State John] Kerry and [Russian] Foreign Minister [Sergei] Lavrov on Syria. They are all trying to coordinate and work in the same direction of opening a political process, political transition in Syria that can allow an inclusive process, bringing an end to the war," Mogherini said following talks in Vienna.

Earlier in the day, Russian, US, Saudi Arabian and Turkish foreign ministers discussed specific ideas on the situation in Syria during their meeting in the Austrian capital.

According to Lavrov, it is crucial to begin full-scale talks between the official Syrian authorities and the opposition with broad participation of foreign actors to reach a diplomatic solution to the protracted conflict in the Arab state.

Syria has been in a civil war since 2011, with opposition factions and Islamist terrorist groups such as Islamic State (IS) and the Nusra Front fighting the Syrian Army.