BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:35 P.M.) – The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Monday evening that confirmed a recent phone meeting between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The main focus of this telephone conversation between the foreign diplomats was the ongoing situation in southwest Syria.
Pompeo reportedly told Lavrov of his reservations over the Syrian government’s upcoming offensive.
“Secretary Pompeo reemphasized the US commitment to the (Syrian) southwest ceasefire arrangement that was approved by President (Donald) Trump and President (Vladimir) Putin one year ago,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in the statement.
The statement added that “it was critical for Russia and the Syrian regime to adhere to these arrangements and ensure no unilateral activity in this area,” she added.
Despite this conversation, the Syrian military has exponentially increased the size of their forces in southwest Syria, as they prepare to kickoff this long-awaited offensive.
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