US Leaves Russia's Proposals on Security Cooperation Unanswered - Official

Moscow and Washington could cooperate in a more effective way in Syria, according to Russia's deputy defense minister.

SINGAPORE (Sputnik) — Moscow and Washington have a number of areas for cooperation, but Russian proposals 'remain unanswered,' Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Sunday.

"Russia and the United States could have done more to settle the situation in Syria and there is scope to do more in combating international terrorism in other regions. There are many areas, where we could undertake joint efforts. Yet, our proposals on cooperation remain unanswered," Antonov said at the "IISS Shangri-La Dialogue" Asia Security Summit in Singapore.

He added that at the same time cooperation between Russia and the United States contributed to deliveries of humanitarian aid to the war-torn country and restoration of peace in Syria.

Syria has been mired in civil war since March 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.

The ceasefire in Syria, worked out by Russia and the United States, took effect on February 27 to facilitate humanitarian access to all besieged areas in the country, among other purposes.