Russia: No Prospect of Lausanne Talks on Syria

Local Editor

Russia said Monday it was not currently considering a new truce in the Syrian city of Aleppo after a brief cease-fire ended at the weekend.

In order to renew the cease-fire, "our opponents must ensure appropriate behavior by the anti-government groups that in particular sabotaged the medical evacuation that was intended during the humanitarian pause," Ryabkov said.

He chastised the U.S.-led coalition, saying that it was criticizing Damascus and Moscow instead of "really exerting influence on the opposition, the rebels."

"Over the last three days, what was needed did not happen," he said.

Ryabkov also said that he did not see the "conditions" for ministerial-level negotiations on Syria before the US elections on Nov. 8, after a Lausanne meeting on Oct. 15 that ended with no breakthrough.

"It's almost no time until the US elections. To be honest, I don't see the conditions for a ministerial meeting," he said, insisting that Damascus and Moscow were fulfilling international agreements.

The Kremlin had hailed the humanitarian cease-fire as a "manifestation of goodwill".

Lavrov Friday accused militants from Fatah al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham of obstructing the departure of civilians and combatants prepared to leave, saying they used "threats, blackmail and brute force."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team