Russia and the US have agreed on a number of ‘critical’ issues, particularly with regard to Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following talks in Moscow.

“The US stands ready to work with Moscow,” Kerry told journalists after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday. He added that the two countries’ officials had had “a productive day” and the discussions had been “constructive.”

Calling the effort “good diplomacy,” the top US diplomat said that the whole global community benefits from such cooperation.

Moscow and Washington confirmed their previous agreements to work together to fight “the evil” of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in Syria, Lavrov told journalists, adding that some “practical steps” to advance this effort had been agreed upon at the meeting.

“We see Syria fundamentally very similarly,” Kerry said, adding that the two nations have been “honest with differences,” but in general agree that the crisis in the Middle Eastern country “requires political process.”


Comment: Does Kerry know that he’s lying here, or does he actually believe that the US sees the situation in Syria the same as Russia? The US created, armed and funded ISIS and put the terrorist group in Syria in order to destabilize and ultimately overthrow the Assad government. Russia, on the other hand, has fought to keep the Assad government in power and has made huge gains in destroying the Islamic State. The US and Russia’s positions could not be more fundamentally dissimilar. So Kerry is either delusional or lying through his teeth.

“Russia and US agree [that] you can’t defeat them [IS terrorists] without deescalating fight in Syria,” the Secretary of State said, adding that both Moscow and Washington are “focused on political process” and that “Syrians will be making decisions on the future of Syria.”

Russia and the US are seeking solutions to the most critical crises together, Putin said earlier at the start of the meeting, adding that he “is happy for the opportunity to meet and talk.”

“Today you’ve had comprehensive talks at Russia’s Foreign Ministry,” Putin said to Kerry. “Minister Lavrov has reported to me in detail on your proposals and on some issues that require additional discussions. I’m very happy with the opportunity to meet with you and talk.”

Kerry thanked Moscow for cooperation on issues like the Syrian conflict, saying that Russia and the US can work together to make progress resolving the crisis.

“With regard to Syria, together the United States and Russia have the ability to make a significant difference,” he said.

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, the White House National Security Council’s senior director for Russia Celeste Wallander and US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft are also present at the Kremlin meeting. On Russia’s side, Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov are also in attendance.

This year, Kerry has already paid a visit to Putin in Russia. In May, the two met at the Russian president’s Sochi residence. That meeting was originally planned for some 90 minutes, but lasted for over four hours.

Prior to the Kremlin meeting, Kerry was spotted wandering along the tourist hot-spot Arbat Street in central Moscow. The US Secretary of State did some souvenir shopping and was warmly welcomed by locals and fellow visitors who recognized him in the street.

“I want to wish that the Russian people and the American people are good friends and that our countries come together in peace,” Kerry said when chatting to a group of people.