(VOVworld) - The Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying Russia says it has reached an understanding with the US over not discussing the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the time being.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) meets Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Damascus in June, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

Ryabkov made the remarks while commenting on the outcome of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s Thursday visit to Russia. Referring to a temporary truce agreement proposed by Russia and the United States, which came into force across Syria on February 27, Sergei Ryabkov said the result of that work has produced some progress. Ryabkov also said that a “mutual understanding” has been reached with Washington over bolstering the cessation of hostilities.