This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-says-might-use-force-to-cease-fire-violators-in-syria/2016/03/21/0558c8fa-ef44-11e5-a2a3-d4e9697917d1_story.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Russia says might use force to cease-fire violators in Syria Russia says might use force to cease-fire violators in Syria
(about 4 hours later)
MOSCOW — Russia on Monday warned the United States that it will start responding to cease-fire violations in Syria unilaterally starting Tuesday if the U.S. refuses to coordinate rules of engagement against the violators. A U.S. official contended the issues were being discussed “in a constructive manner.” MOSCOW — Russia on Monday warned the United States that it will start responding unilaterally to cease-fire violations in Syria if the U.S. refuses to coordinate rules of engagement against violators. A U.S. official contended the issues were being discussed “in a constructive manner.”
The Russian military have accused the U.S. of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on joint monitoring of a Syria cease-fire. A top Russian general said on the weekend that further delays are leading to civilian casualties, like in Aleppo where 67 civilians reportedly have been killed by militant fire since the truce started. The Russian military has accused the U.S. of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on rules for joint monitoring of the Syria cease-fire and response to violations. It said that further delays are leading to civilian casualties.
Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian General Staff said in a statement on Monday that Russia will have to use force unilaterally that because the U.S., in talks with Russia last week, had refused to coordinate a joint response. Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian General Staff said in a statement on Monday that if the U.S. fails to respond to its proposals on a joint response, the Russian military will have to start unilaterally using force against those who break the cease-fire, starting Tuesday.
“The American side was not ready for this particular discussion and for the approval of the agreement,” the statement quoted him as saying. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a separate but similar statement.
But in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, a U.S. official in Geneva said: “We have seen the media reports on alleged Russian concerns over cease-fire violations. Whoever is making such statements must be misinformed, because these issues have been discussed at length already, and continue to be discussed, in a constructive manner.”But in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, a U.S. official in Geneva said: “We have seen the media reports on alleged Russian concerns over cease-fire violations. Whoever is making such statements must be misinformed, because these issues have been discussed at length already, and continue to be discussed, in a constructive manner.”
The official demanded anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.The official demanded anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The cease-fire that began on Feb. 27, brokered by Russia and the U.S., has helped significantly reduce hostilities. The Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been excluded from the truce. The cease-fire that began on Feb. 27, brokered by Russia and the U.S., has helped significantly reduce hostilities for the first time during the five-year conflict that has killed a quarter-million and turned millions into refugees. The Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been excluded from the truce.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last week recalled some of Russian warplanes from Syria, but said the action against the Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front will continue. Russian President Vladimir Putin last week recalled some Russian warplanes from Syria, but said the action against those groups will continue.
______
Keaten reported from Geneva Keaten reported from Geneva. Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.