Russian Deputy foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin in an interview with the Russian media said that Moscow and Washington maintain effective contacts in Syria.

“We generally have contacts, in my opinion effective, including with the United States, regarding the issues of the Syrian settlement. We know and have seen, like everyone else, the statement of the US President on the withdrawal from Syria. We look closely at how it is interpreted and how it will be implemented. Naturally, we are ready to discuss all these issues within the framework of our contacts with the Americans,” the high – ranking Russian diplomat said.

However, Vershinin reminded that Moscow sees no reason to justify the US presence in the area of At-Tanfa in Syria.

“We do not accept and condemn the presence of Americans as an occupying country in this Syrian territory without the consent of the Syrian government,” the Deputy foreign Minister said.