US-Russia Talks on Syria Remain Priority for Washington - White House

Talks with Russia on military activity in Syria have not begun, but are expected to take place soon, Josh Earnest said.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Practical and tactical discussions between the United States and Russia to deconflict military action in Syria continue to be a priority for Washington, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest told reporters on Wednesday.

"Both presidents agreed that it was a priority, for both countries, that tactical, practical conversations between our militaries take place to ensure that our military activities inside of Syria are properly deconflicted," Earnest said. "That continues to be a priority."

Deconfliction talks with Russia on military activity in Syria have not begun, but are expected to take place soon, Earnest added. 

The Pentagon will analyze Russian military activities in Syria:

"The [US] Department of Defense is going to take a look at the Russian military activities there [in Syria] and it's too early for me to say exactly what targets they were aiming at," Earnest said. 

Washington expects that US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold more talks regarding Moscow's air operations in Syria, White House spokesperson added:

"One of the things that both President Putin and President Obama have asked their teams to do is to continue to consult, and so I would anticipate that Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov will have additional conversations about Russia's activities inside of Syria," Earnest said.