Lavrov Says US Gradually Starts to Accept Russia's Stance on Syria

The United States has become more susceptible to Russia's position on the situation in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian foreign minister said that US authorities said they were ready to cooperate with Russia on the situation in Syria.

"I spoke to [US Secretary of State] John Kerry, who said that they [US] want to cooperate with us, and that they have such opportunities. After the talks between the two ministers of defense — [Sergei] Shoigu and [Ashton] Carter — both sides expressed positive approach [to cooperation]," Lavrov told reporters.

"I think the Americans have become more susceptible to the arguments we have used in our work for several years," Lavrov he added.

Kerry said Tuesday that Washington was prepared to immediately begin a dialogue with Russia on the war in Syria. On Sunday the US politician said he would meet with Lavrov to discuss the Syrian civil war within the framework of the 70th UN General Assembly in New York.

Last week, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter have agreed to re-establish military-to-military contacts between the countries.

Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011, as government forces loyal to Assad fight several opposition and radical Islamist militant groups, including the Nusra Front and Islamic State (ISIL).

Since the beginning of the Syria civil war, the United States and some of its allies have supported the moderate Syrian opposition while calling for Assad's resignation, while Russia recognized Assad as the only legitimate Syrian authority. Russia has been providing Syria with humanitarian aid and military equipment.