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| Syria war: Russia rejects US calls to halt bombing eastern Aleppo | Syria war: Russia rejects US calls to halt bombing eastern Aleppo |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Russia has said it will carry on bombing rebel-held eastern Aleppo in Syria, defying US demands to stop. | Russia has said it will carry on bombing rebel-held eastern Aleppo in Syria, defying US demands to stop. |
| Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that the Russian air force would continue its support of the Syrian armed forces. | Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that the Russian air force would continue its support of the Syrian armed forces. |
| He also urged Washington to deliver on a pledge to separate moderate Syrian opposition fighters from "terrorists". | He also urged Washington to deliver on a pledge to separate moderate Syrian opposition fighters from "terrorists". |
| It comes after the US warned that it will end talks on military co-operation unless Moscow stops the bombing. | It comes after the US warned that it will end talks on military co-operation unless Moscow stops the bombing. |
| US state department spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that Russia had an interest in stopping the violence in Syria. | US state department spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that Russia had an interest in stopping the violence in Syria. |
| He said the conflict presents extremists with an opportunity to "exploit the vacuums" in the region and launch attacks "against Russian interests, perhaps even Russian cities". | He said the conflict presents extremists with an opportunity to "exploit the vacuums" in the region and launch attacks "against Russian interests, perhaps even Russian cities". |
| The recent cessation deal was meant to lead to joint Russian-US air strikes on so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra Front). | |
| However Russia has complained the US has not done enough to separate the more moderate rebel groups which it backs from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham. Many of these groups have formed a strategic alliance with the more powerful Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and fight alongside it. | |
| Despite growing tensions between the two nations, Mr Peskov said Russia remains interested in pursuing talks with the US in an effort to resolve the crisis in Syria. | Despite growing tensions between the two nations, Mr Peskov said Russia remains interested in pursuing talks with the US in an effort to resolve the crisis in Syria. |
| His comments echo a statement from Moscow, which insisted it would send diplomats to Geneva to discuss ways of normalising the situation with the US. | His comments echo a statement from Moscow, which insisted it would send diplomats to Geneva to discuss ways of normalising the situation with the US. |
| But on Wednesday US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that Washington will end talks unless Moscow stops its bombardment of Aleppo. | |
| Meanwhile Turkey has said it will work with Russia on putting in place another ceasefire after the previous agreement collapsed. | Meanwhile Turkey has said it will work with Russia on putting in place another ceasefire after the previous agreement collapsed. |
| Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara "we are more than ready" but emphasised that nations have to try harder to find a political resolution in order for an agreement to be effective. | Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara "we are more than ready" but emphasised that nations have to try harder to find a political resolution in order for an agreement to be effective. |
| Aleppo has come under heavy aerial bombardment since the partial truce deal disintegrated a week ago. | Aleppo has come under heavy aerial bombardment since the partial truce deal disintegrated a week ago. |
| Some 250,000 people are trapped in the east in appalling conditions, under siege from Russian-backed Syrian forces. | Some 250,000 people are trapped in the east in appalling conditions, under siege from Russian-backed Syrian forces. |
| The US has accused Russia of taking part in strikes on civilian targets and possibly committing war crimes - charges Russia has strongly denied. | The US has accused Russia of taking part in strikes on civilian targets and possibly committing war crimes - charges Russia has strongly denied. |