The fate of Syrian President Bashar Assad was left to Moscow. This was stated by the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during a recent meeting with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, writes Foreign Policy with reference to an unnamed diplomatic source.

According to the head of the State Department, the American mission on Syrian territory is limited only by the struggle with the terrorist group "Islamic State" banned in Russia,. Tillerson also noted that the recent special operations conducted by the US military were aimed at achieving tactical goals: preventing the use of chemical weapons and protecting US servicemen who are fighting extremists.

It is separately emphasized that such statements by the head of the State Department mean Washington's refusal to demand the withdrawal of Assad from the presidential post and that "the government of Syria, supported by Russia and Iran, becomes a likely political winner in the conflict that lasts 6 years".

Meanwhile, the State Department spokesman declined to comment on the publication of the content of the private conversation between Tillerson and Guterres. At the same time, he reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the political process "which can determine the future of Syria". "Ultimately, this process, in our view, will lead to the resolution of Assad's status," the diplomat believes..

According to the authors of the FP, the softening of the US position on the RAA may be due to the planned meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump during the summit of G-20 leaders in Hamburg on July 7-8.

Earlier on Monday, CNN reported that the host of the White House intends to discuss the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts.

Recall last week, June 27, the media were distributed cadres visiting Asad Russian airbase in Khmeimim (Latakia province). The President of the RAA got acquainted with the aviation fleet and the air defense technique, and also sat in the cockpit of the newest fighter of the Russian Air Force Su-35. Asada was met and escorted by high-ranking Russian military men led by the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov.