Four Russian fighter jets deployed in Syria

“The secretary and the minister talked about areas where the United States and Russia’s perspectives overlap and areas of divergence”, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has, however, insisted he will continue to protect Assad from his Islamist foes and a Russian arms build-up has been seen at a Syrian air base.

Washington and its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies broke off ties with the Russian military in April a year ago in protest at Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine.

Carter has told Shoigu that further discussions would be one facet of an ongoing discussion that will also include “diplomatic talks that would ensure a political transition in Syria”, the Pentagon said in a statement.

“The ministers noted the restoration of contacts between the countries’ defence ministries and agreed to continue consultations”.

USA and Russian defense chiefs spoke for the first time in over a year on Friday, breaking their silence to discuss the crisis in Syria as Moscow’s increasing military buildup there raised the prospect of coordination between the former Cold War foes.

Over the last two weeks, the Russians have modified the small commercial airport into a fully functional airfield, US officials said.

The images emerged as Putin gave his strongest admission yet that Russian Federation was already providing some military and logistical support to Syria.

The USA top diplomat is in London on a three-day visit and will meet Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Saturday to discuss the response to the crisis in Syria and anti-Daesh campagin.

“The president believes that a mil-to-mil conversation is an important next step, and I think, hopefully, will take place very shortly”, Kerry said, according to the New York Times.

Moscow has long portrayed Assad’s army as a bulwark against “terrorists” and the ISIL, and has sent military equipment and trainers to bolster his position.

In recent days Russian Federation has sent about a half-dozen battle tanks and other weaponry – along with military advisers, technicians, security guards and portable housing units – to Syria with the apparent goal of setting up an air base near the coastal town of Latakia, a stronghold of the Syrian president.

“It’s not about that Europe didn’t accept them or embrace them as refugees, it’s about not dealing with the cause”, he said in an interview with Russian state broadcaster Russia Today.

“There is no reason to evade cooperation with the Syrian leadership, which confronts that terror threat”, Lavrov said.