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'Progress' in US-Russia talks on Syria airspace safety | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Russian defence officials say they are getting closer to a deal with the US on air safety in Syria, after aircraft from both countries flew within miles of each other last weekend. | |
The US Pentagon said "progress was made" in the third round of such talks. | |
Russian and US combat aircraft were in visual contact with each other, 10 to 20 miles (15-30km) apart, on Saturday. | |
Russian began air strikes in Syria on 30 September, saying it was targeting Islamic State (IS) militants. | |
But Western countries and Syrian activists say Russian planes have been hitting non-IS targets - a claim Moscow denies. | |
"Positions became closer on key provisions of the future document [on air safety]," the defence ministry said in a statement reported by Russian news agencies. | |
A US official told Reuters news agency that military officials from both sides were finalising a memorandum of understanding setting out basic air safety procedures over Syrian airspace. | |
In a statement, the Pentagon described talks as "professional and focused narrowly on the implementation of specific safety procedures". | |
Russia said it began its aerial campaign against IS militants and other jihadist groups after a request to help militarily from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | |
Prior to the talks, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said Russia's actions in Syria were "wrongheaded and strategically short-sighted", though he expected a deal soon. | |
The US is leading a coalition that has been bombing IS targets in Syria since September last year. | |
The talks come after US military spokesman Col Steve Warren told reporters that two US and two Russian aircraft "entered the same battle space" over Syria on Saturday. | The talks come after US military spokesman Col Steve Warren told reporters that two US and two Russian aircraft "entered the same battle space" over Syria on Saturday. |
He said the aircraft were in visual contact with each other. | He said the aircraft were in visual contact with each other. |
Col Warren also said that Russian planes had repeatedly broken air patrols, coming close to US American unmanned aerial vehicles or drone aircraft. | Col Warren also said that Russian planes had repeatedly broken air patrols, coming close to US American unmanned aerial vehicles or drone aircraft. |
Russia has not publicly commented on this claim. | Russia has not publicly commented on this claim. |
High-stakes gamble Risks of air forces from Russia, Syria and Nato operating in close proximity | High-stakes gamble Risks of air forces from Russia, Syria and Nato operating in close proximity |
Why? What? How? Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement | Why? What? How? Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement |
What can Russia's air force do? The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? | What can Russia's air force do? The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? |
The close ties behind Russia's intervention | The close ties behind Russia's intervention |
Russia's Muslims divided over strikes | Russia's Muslims divided over strikes |
Syria's civil war explained | Syria's civil war explained |