VLADIVOSTOK (Sputnik) – The United States wants to see a strong and powerful Russia, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview with Sergey Brilev, host of the Vesti v Subbotu (Saturday News) show on Rossiya-1 television.
"We are not looking for a confrontation. We would like to see a normal relationship with Russia and see a strong and powerful Russia contributing to the resolution of disputes on a global basis, because we have enough challenges," Kerry said.
"Russia was very cooperative in the recently-arrived-at agreement in Paris on the climate change," Kerry said of the December 12 landmark deal to curb emissions and stem the rise of global temperatures signed by some 195 countries.
On Syria, the state secretary underscored the common goal of putting an end to the nearly five-year civil war that has ravaged the Arab republic and triggered the greatest humanitarian and refugee crisis seen in decades.
"So Russia and the United States are actually united with Iran through the Vienna process in the same approach to a political settlement in which Syrians can choose the future of Syria. We want the same thing," he stressed.
The United States, alongside other western nations, are at odds with Russia on Syrian President Bashar Assad in calling for his ouster. Moscow maintains Assad is the legitimate authority in the country.
The UN Security Council resolution is seen as a compromise in the two viewpoints.
