Updated

A spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry says Moscow is happy to talk to Washington about its military presence in Syria.

The West has raised concern over signs of an ongoing Russian military buildup in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, which Washington says signals Moscow's intention to set up a forward air base there.

Russia has been angry over anonymous reports coming out from Washington saying that Russia has delivered about a half dozen battle tanks there.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Russia is ready to address "any concerns" that the United States might have. She said that should be done between Russian military experts and their American counterparts, and not in the media.