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BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian and U.S. diplomats have met face-to-face for the first time since Moscow's air campaign in Syria began last month. There were no breakthroughs out of those closed-door talks though. Indeed, Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists a key American demand - that Syria's President Bashar al-Assad step down - wasn't even discussed.
They are at least talking again. But these two men still profoundly disagree on the future of Syria. After talks in the Austrian capital - Russia announced another new cog in its airstrike coalition, now including Jordan.
"The agreement (has been reached) of forming a mechanism in Amman, where the representatives of the defense ministries will coordinate actions in fighting terrorism in the skies over Syria on a day-to-day, professional basis. There are absolutely concrete methods that our military will use. It has all been agreed upon, it has all been talked over. Today at the meeting of the four (countries) I suggested that our partners from America, Saudi Arabia and Turkey should also use this opportunity," said Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister.
While the Americans continued to worry about who Moscow might really be targeting.
"The United States, I want to emphasise, welcomes support in the fight against Daesh (the Islamic State group), and if Russia intends to join in that fight, we welcome a constructive role. But targeting moderate fighters doesn't hurt Daesh. It makes it easier for (Syrian President Bashar) Assad to continue brutalizing the Syrian people, it threatens to exacerbate the sectarian tensions that feed extremism and it encourages more fighters, particularly foreign fighters, to flock to Daesh," said John Kerry, US secretary of State.
Consensus on a framework beyond the bombing seems no closer. Turkey and Saudi Arabia were also present in Vienna - they both want a change of leadership in Syria as the very first step. So the sight of Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, in the Russian capital this past Tuesday, didn't make for easy viewing. Though speaking on Thursday - Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested compromise was possible.
"Undoubtedly the Syrian government should set up working contact with the opposition powers that are ready for the dialogue. As I realized from the talk with President Assad the day before yesterday, he is ready for such a dialogue," Putin said.
And perhaps Moscow, too, has reason to get a move-on.
"Russia - I think - is also anxious not to be dragged into a conflict with boots on the ground. Which means that - as with the Americans are - will try to limit their activities to airstrikes," said Henning Riecke, German council on foreign relations.
Kerry's next stop is Jordan. But he'll back here again next week for a second round.
Several European countries - including Germany - will likely attend those talks. Russia says it wants Iran involved in the dialogue at some point, too -- something Kerry didn't rule out.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
