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Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13

US, Russia agree on ‘steps’ in Syria; won’t say what

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrive to a news conference after their long talks in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 15, 2016. The United States is offering Russia a broad new military partnership in Syria. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrive to a news conference after their long talks in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 15, 2016. The United States is offering Russia a broad new military partnership in Syria. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

MOSCOW (AP) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States and Russia have agreed on “steps” that will reduce violence in Syria. But he wouldn’t detail those steps.

Kerry spoke to reporters as he finished more than 10 hours of negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

They have been discussing possible military cooperation against the Islamic State and particularly al-Qaida in Syria.

Russia backs Syrian President Bashar Assad. U.S. supports rebels fighting against him.

But Kerry on Friday struck a conciliatory note.