Russia and the United States have a chance "to appropriately coordinate in Syria" so that refugees can return home, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.
Tillerson proposed that Russia and the United States "explore the possibility" of establishing no-fly zones and other "joint mechanisms" to maintain peace in Syria as the Islamic State loses ground. Such cooperation would expand on the military-to-military contacts that have been used to avoid a direct conflict between Russian and American forces operating in the country — but it could be imperiled nonetheless by the fact that Russia and Iran, which have supported Syrian President Bashar Assad, have significant ambitions in a post-ISIS Syria.
"With the liberation of Raqqa now underway, ISIS has been badly wounded, and is could be on the brink of complete defeat in Syria if all parties focus on this objective," Tillerson said in a Wednesday evening statement. "In order to complete the mission, the international community, and especially Russia, must remove obstacles to the defeat of ISIS and help provide stability that prevents ISIS from rising anew from the ashes of their failed and fraudulent caliphate."
Tillerson outlined the U.S. position in advance of a highly anticipated meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the impending G-20 Summit in Germany. Trump and Putin are expected to discuss a range of policy disagreements, including Syria and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
"The United States and Russia certainly have unresolved differences on a number of issues, but we have the potential to appropriately coordinate in Syria in order to produce stability and serve our mutual security interests," Tillerson said. "The United States is prepared to explore the possibility of establishing with Russia joint mechanisms for ensuring stability, including no-fly zones, on the ground ceasefire observers, and coordinated delivery of humanitarian assistance."
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05.01.2024