MOSCOW (AFP) – Top US diplomat John Kerry flew into Russia Thursday to press President Vladimir Putin over Syria peace efforts and targeting jihadist groups, as leader Bashar al-Assad said he has never faced pressure from Moscow to go.
The US Secretary of State was set to meet Putin in the Kremlin with Washington reportedly ready to offer to cooperate with Moscow in joint military action against the Islamic State group and the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra Front.
Kerry did not deny the proposal — reported by the Washington Post Thursday — and it would mark a dramatic shift if it brought together Assad s key backer Moscow and his major foe Washington.
The US envoy will also look to try to revive a shattered ceasefire and push Putin on a stalled peace process as little progress has been made towards a hoped-for resumption of Syria talks.