The Department of Defense today held a video conference co-chaired by Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Elissa Slotkin and Joint Staff Director for Strategic Plans and Policy Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie with Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts to discuss ongoing adherence to the U.S.-Russia memorandum of understanding (MOU) on flight safety over Syrian airspace.

The two sides committed to adhering to the MoU on flight safety as long as each side is operating in Syria.

Today's meeting follows previous video conferences between the Department of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Defense on this topic.

The conversation was constructive and the two sides agreed to continue safety discussions in this format in the future.

[](https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/757136/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-us-russia-video-conference/#)