Contacts with tact

The presidential administration Donald Trump is conducting secret negotiations with Russia on the creation of de-escalation zones in the southwest of Syria, where the US forces supported by the United States operate. It is reported by The Wall Street Journal with reference to unnamed American officials.

Negotiations began after the April visit of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Moscow, the sources of the publication said. Two meetings took place on neutral territory, in Jordan. They were attended by special representatives of the United States in the anti -terrorist coalition Brett McGgerk and Michael Ratney. Another meeting was supposed to take place this week in the amman, but it was canceled due to "planning problems."

It is noted that in the Pentagon, initially with fear, they treated the de -escalation zones, as they were considered quite expensive. However, the White House considered that if the introduction of such zones is successful, their use can be expanded to other areas of Syria.

As the publication emphasizes, the secrecy of negotiations is explained by the desire of the White House to establish contacts with Moscow amid the investigation of Russian intervention in the American elections.

On May 4, a memorandum on the creation of de -escalation zones was signed at negotiations in Astana. Two days later, he entered into force. Rossiya, Türkiye and Iran have become a truce and Iran. In these zones, where the access to humanitarian organizations is facilitated, the use of any type of weapon is prohibited. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that there will be a ban on military aviation flights in the de -escalation zones. However, VSSha stated that they were not going to make adjustments to their actions in Syria due to the agreements of Russia, Turkey and Iran.

One of the de-escalation zones was installed in the ET-Tanf air base in the south of Syria near the border with Jordan. At this base, the US special forces teach rebels fighting with the militants of the Islamic State. Since mid-May, the coalition troops at the head of the United States have already attacked groups of Syrian government forces three times, advancing towards ET-Tanf.