Lavrov, Kerry Discuss Need to Distinguish Syria Militias From Terrorists

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US State Secretary Kerry stressed the necessity of continuing the talks between the Syrian authorities and a broad spectrum of opposition with UN meditation and strict observance of the cessation of hostilities, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US State Secretary Kerry discussed the Syria crisis Monday, with the former pointing out the need to separate terrorist groups from militias operating in the country, the Russian ministry said in a statement.

The phone conversation took place on the initiative of the US side. According to the statement, Lavrov and Kerry "exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the Victory Day and stressed importance of preserving the historic truth about World War II."

According to the statement, the US and Russian efforts on resolving the crisis in Syria, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) were the main topic of the talks.

"[The sides] stressed the necessity of continuing the talks between the Syrian authorities and a broad spectrum of opposition with UN meditation and strict observance of the cessation of hostilities," the ministry said, adding that Lavrov and Kerry also noted the decisive role of close cooperation between the Russian and US servicemen within the framework of a joint operation center in Geneva,

Lavrov reiterated to Kerry "the necessity of swift separation of Washington-oriented anti-government formations from terrorist groups, as well as cutting off supply of extremists through the Turkish territory."