MOSCOW (Sputnik) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed to Russia on Friday to help bring peace and relief aid to the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, German media reported.
"What is happening out there is atrocious," Merkel said, as quoted by the ARD broadcaster. "I can only appeal to Russia as Russia has a lot of influence on [Syrian President Bashar] Assad: We must put an end to this crime as soon as possible."
Speaking at a meeting of her ruling Christian Democratic Party (CDU), Merkel said it was vital to restore ceasefire in Aleppo and deliver humanitarian assistance to people in need.
Syria’s Bashar Assad told the Danish TV2 channel on Thursday that the government forces would never surrender any part of Aleppo and vowed to continue fighting militants until the last one leaves the northern city.