Russian fighter jets in Syria concern Kerry

Associated Press

LONDON

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that Russia’s movement of tactical aircraft and surface-to-air missiles to Syria could pose a threat to American and allied forces, and made clear that the U.S. could accept a resolution to the civil war that allows President Bashar Assad to remain in power for an unspecified time.

“We’re prepared to negotiate. Is Assad prepared to negotiate, really negotiate? Is Russia prepared to bring him to the table and actually find the solution to this violence?” Kerry told reporters after meeting with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

U.S. officials said Russia sent a small number of fighter jets to a base in Syria on Friday, hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter talked with Russia Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in the first military contacts between the two countries in some time.

“Clearly, the presence of aircraft with air-to-air combat capacity ... and surface-to-air missiles raise serious questions,” Kerry said. The Russians have deployed at least one such system, according to an American official, who was not authorized to discuss military matters.

Russia says its recent military buildup in Syria is designed to fight the Islamic State group.