The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed astonishment at Washington's repeated claims that Moscow is internationally isolated.

In a statement on Monday the Russian foreign Ministry described the claims as silly .

Russia and the U.S. are struggling to narrow differences over Syria as Secretary of State John Kerry prepares to meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday amid continuing friction in relations between the former Cold War enemies.

Kerry’s second visit to Russia this year for meetings with Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, following eight hours of talks in Sochi in May, comes as the U.S. seeks agreement among Russia and other major powers for a meeting on Dec. 18 in New York to pursue efforts for a cease-fire and an interim power-sharing government in Syria.

Sources: MENA