Russian and US foreign ministers meet ahead of UN meeting

US and Russian foreign ministers discuss Syria and Ukraine issues during a meeting in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (left) and his US counterpart Rex Tillerson. Photo: Reuters.

The meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart Rex Tillerson took place on September 17 in New York.

"The meeting discussed cooperation in the Syrian crisis in the Middle East and the Minsk agreements," AFP quoted Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, as saying, without giving details.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert confirmed the meeting took place "on the evening of September 17, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly session."

"The two ministers renewed their commitment to de-escalate military operations in Syria, reduce violence, and create conditions for the Geneva peace process to move forward," Nauert said.

Relations between Washington and Moscow are at what Mr. Tillerson described as a “historic” post-Cold War low, as both sides are retaliating and demanding that the other side reduce its diplomatic staff. However, the US still wants to coordinate with Russia to resolve the crisis in Syria, where both countries have deployed military campaigns.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend this year's United Nations General Assembly session while his US counterpart Donald Trump will give his first speech to the body on September 19.

According to VNE