"There is a slew of examples showing that al-Nusra Front somehow evaded the US-led coalition's actions. There were and are solid reasons to believe it was being protected as the most efficient and combat-capable anti-government force on the ground so that it could be used in future to topple the legitimate leadership of Syria," Lavrov said.
The Russian minister expressed hope that Washington would stop sheltering militants in Syria.
Russia hopes to reach agreements with the United States on anti-terrorism efforts, but there is little progress yet, Russian Lavrov said.
"We hope for principled agreements that we will be fighting terrorism uncompromisingly. Those who want to be part of the settlement must immediately join the ceasefire regime, while all the rest will be considered as ones subject to elimination," he said.
"The process is proceeding slowly yet, although there is consent in principle," he said.
