NEW YORK (The UN). March 5 (Interfax) - Contacts with the United States on Syria are not in vain if the U.S. really encourages the Syrian opposition to start a dialogue with the authorities, Russian Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin told a press conference.
"Russia and the United States still differ (over Syria). But if our American partners really encourage the Syrian opposition to start a dialogue (with the authorities), this means our contacts with Washington on the Syrian situation are not entirely senseless," the Russian diplomat said.
He said Moscow was ready to stay in touch with Washington and noted that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov might meet with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns next week to discuss Syria.
"We are ready to continue contacts on Syria. I presume Mikhail Bogdanov and William Burns may meet in Europe next week," Churkin said.
He regretted that certain members of the UN Security Council did not condemn the terrorist act perpetrated by insurgents in Damascus in February. The terrorist act damaged the Russian Embassy in Syria.
"Whenever such things happen to the U.S. or British embassies, we do not hesitate to condemn the attacks. Alas, our colleagues did not reciprocate," the Russian envoy said.