US won’t negotiate on Russia’s UN draft on Syria — diplomats

Diplomats say the United States has refused to negotiate over a draft statement that Russia had hoped the Security Council would approve to bolster its position on Syria ahead of a major gathering of world leaders.

A draft of Russia’s council statement, obtained by The Associated Press, urges countries to fight extremist groups “in coordination with the governments of the affected states.”

That language can be seen as a reference to Syria’s government, which Russia supports. Russian military shipments to Syria have alarmed the US and its allies in recent weeks, and President Vladimir Putin is expected to defend them in a UN speech Monday.

The United States had no immediate comment on the draft.

A Kremlin spokesman has said Putin will meet US President Barack Obama on Monday.

— AP