WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the U.S. is nearing an agreement in its discussions with Russia about flight safety in the skies over Syria, and talks may conclude soon.

Carter says Pentagon officials and Russian leaders will have their third videoconference on the issue Wednesday, as U.S.-led coalition and Russian aircraft try to avoid collisions when they launch airstrikes into Syria. Carter says the talks on professional conduct in the air are progressing.

Army Col. Steve Warren, U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, says U.S. and Russian aircraft came within sight of each other over Syria on Saturday, but they were miles apart and the pilots behaved professionally. He says more often Russia aircraft have flown near U.S. drones, perhaps to get a closer look at the high-tech aircraft.

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