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Syria conflict: Russia's Putin halts France visit amid row | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has cancelled a planned visit to France amid a row over Syria. | |
He had been due to meet French President Francois Hollande and open a new Orthodox church later this month. | |
But after France's government said talks would be confined to Syria the visit was halted, French presidential sources said. | |
On Monday, Mr Hollande suggested Russia could face war crimes charges over its bombardment of Syria's city of Aleppo. | |
The French presidency had told the Russians Mr Hollande would only attend one event with Mr Putin during the visit planned for 19 October - a working meeting on Syria, according to the sources. | |
But after this Russia "let it be known that it wanted to postpone the visit", they added. | But after this Russia "let it be known that it wanted to postpone the visit", they added. |
A Kremlin source cited on Russian state media confirmed the meeting would not go ahead. | |
It comes a day after Mr Hollande told French TV prosecutions over Syria could take place in the International Criminal Court (ICC). | It comes a day after Mr Hollande told French TV prosecutions over Syria could take place in the International Criminal Court (ICC). |
"These are people who today are the victims of war crimes. Those that commit these acts will have to face up to their responsibility, including in the ICC," he said. | "These are people who today are the victims of war crimes. Those that commit these acts will have to face up to their responsibility, including in the ICC," he said. |
Neither Russia nor Syria is a member of the ICC. | Neither Russia nor Syria is a member of the ICC. |
Moscow has repeatedly denied attacking civilians, and says it targets terrorist groups in Syria. | Moscow has repeatedly denied attacking civilians, and says it targets terrorist groups in Syria. |
Last week Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution drafted by France calling for an end to the bombing in Aleppo. | Last week Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution drafted by France calling for an end to the bombing in Aleppo. |