US likely to end Syria talks with Russia

Washington, September 30

The United States is on the verge of ending its Syria discussions with Russia over continued bombings in Aleppo city, in which at least 400 persons have been killed in the last eight days.

The US and Russia have been trying to negotiate a ceasefire in the war-torn nation, but Secretary of State John Kerry said “the bombing of Aleppo right now is inexcusable,” NBC news reported.

Russia is sending more warplanes to Syria to further ramp up its campaign of air strikes, a Russian newspaper reported on Friday, as Moscow defied global censure over an escalation that Western countries say has torpedoed diplomacy.

In a statement issued by the White House, US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the Russian and Syrian bombing of Aleppo as "barbarous".

The development comes amid reports of Syrian army and rebels waging fierce battles in Aleppo, the strife-torn country’s largest city.

“I think we are on the verge of suspending the discussion because it’s irrational in the context of the type of bombing taking place,” Kerry said at an event in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

Lavrov said the US needed to fulfil its role under the deal of ensuring moderate opposition groups stick to the ceasefire, NBC reported.

Western countries accuse Russia of war crimes, saying it has deliberately targeted civilians, hospitals and aid deliveries in recent days to crush the will of 250,000 people trapped inside Aleppo's besieged rebel-held sector. — Agencies