US, Russia Use 'Other Channels' to Discuss Ceasefire in Syria - Pentagon

Pentagon Press Secretary stated Monday that discussions between the United States and Russia on the cessation of hostilities deal in Syria are being held through "other channels."

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The discussions between the United States and Russia on the cessation of hostilities deal in Syria are being held through other channels, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook stated in a release on Monday after a video conference between the US Department of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Defense.

"Separate consultations are ongoing through other channels to address the Cessation of Hostilities agreement developed by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) members in Munich on February 12, 2016," Cook stated.

Cook explained the video conference was focused solely on flight safety issues over Syria.

The two sides discussed the implementation of the October 2015 US-Russia Memorandum of Understanding, including the ways to enhance operational safety for US-led coalition against the Islamic State and for Russian military forces operating in Syria.

Last Friday, the cessation of hostilities came into effect at midnight Damascus time, after the United States and Russia reaching an agreement earlier in February on a ceasefire between the Syrian government and opposition groups.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2268, endorsing the Russia-US agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Syria on Friday, shortly before the ceasefire came into force.

The cessation of hostilities agreement does not apply to designated terrorist organizations operating in Syria, including the Islamic State and the Nusra Front, both of which outlawed in Russia.