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It Was Washington, Who 'Left the Field and Gave Way to Russia in Syria'

© REUTERS / Omar SanadikiRussian soldiers stand near their vehicles in Aleppo, Syria December 4, 2016
Russian soldiers stand near their vehicles in Aleppo, Syria December 4, 2016 - Sputnik International
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Commenting on the success of the Syrian army in Aleppo, the US' diplomatic impasse and Russia's role in the settlement of the conflict, French political scientist Bruno Tertrais suggests that it was Washington which "voluntarily left the field" and "gave way to Russia" there, making Moscow an "unavoidable" player in deciding the ongoing crisis.

Syrian army soldiers standing on their military trucks chanting slogans in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad, as they enter a village near the town of Jisr al-Shughour, north of Damascus, Syria (File) - Sputnik International
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Amid the evident success of the Syrian army in the retaking of Aleppo from Daesh militants, France has called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Aleppo.

On Wednesday, diplomats placed blame for the escalating military engagement and worsening humanitarian situations in Syria on inaction in the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, US' and Russia's ambassadors to the UN exchanged barbs during the emergency session at the Security Council in New York.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power blamed Russia for telling what she described as "outright lies" on the Russian bombing of Aleppo.

In response, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin, accused the United States and other Western powers of engaging in "cynical sanctimony."

He rejected criticism against Russia especially after Britain’s ambassador, Matthew Rycroft accused Moscow of supporting "a deliberate act of starvation and a deliberate withholding of medical care" in Aleppo.

© REUTERS / Omar SanadikiSyrians who have been evacuated from eastern Aleppo, reach out for Russian food aid in government-controlled Jibreen area in Aleppo, Syria November 30, 2016
Syrians who have been evacuated from eastern Aleppo, reach out for Russian food aid in government-controlled Jibreen area in Aleppo, Syria November 30, 2016 - Sputnik International
Syrians who have been evacuated from eastern Aleppo, reach out for Russian food aid in government-controlled Jibreen area in Aleppo, Syria November 30, 2016

The Russian envoy stressed that Russian soldiers have helped distribute food aid to displaced people who had fled eastern Aleppo to government areas, handing out packages stamped with the Russian flag and the slogan "Russia is with you" in Arabic.

"We vehemently condemn any attempts to protect terrorists including any political action on a humanitarian pretext which, sadly alas, UN humanitarian works have been dragged into," Vitaly Churkin then said.

Commenting on the developments in the region, French political scientist Bruno Tertrais suggested that it was Washington which "voluntarily left the field" and "gave way to Russia" there, making Moscow and "unavoidable" player in settling the ongoing crisis.

Syrian residents fleeing the eastern part of Aleppo walk through a street in Masaken Hanano, a former rebel-held district which was retaken by the regime forces last week. (File) - Sputnik International
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He further suggested the US and other western countries to "start as soon as possible operating in Syria without looking over to any international organizations or to Moscow."

"Russia has become an unavoidable player in the settlement of the Syrian crisis due to western countries lacking the desire, primarily the US, to seriously interfere into the conflict," he said in an interview with the French Le Monde newspaper.

The responsibility, he suggested, lies solely on the US as it decided against serious involvement into the Syrian crisis as it did not want to get at loggerheads with the Syrian ally Iran or run the risk of confrontation between Russia and the US.

"They gave Russia absolute freedom and it has become an unavoidable player," he suggested.

A Syrian government soldier gestures a v-sign under the Syrian national flag near a general view of eastern Aleppo after they took control of al-Sakhour neigbourhood in Aleppo, Syria in this handout picture provided by SANA on November 28, 2016 - Sputnik International
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He advised western countries to launch humanitarian operations in the areas which have suffered most in the conflict even without the approval of international organizations and even under the risk of a possible conflict with Russia.

Then it should conduct "targeted strikes" on those units of the Syrian army who bombard the positions of the Syrian opposition. However he warned against changing the government, citing as example the situation in Iraq.

He further suggested keeping part of the Syrian regime in power however noting that the situation won't improve while President Assad retains his post.

Meanwhile the website of an American daily evening television news program PBS NewsHour, broadcast on the Public Broadcasting Service, reported that US officials conceded they have little to no chance of securing a diplomatic breakthrough on Syria in President Barack Obama’s last weeks in office.

"Given Donald Trump’s promises of closer cooperation with Russia, the US has lost what limited leverage it had," it stated.

Until recently, it said, top US officials "still dangled the threat of reviving any of the various Syria plans Obama long had rejected, from a no-fly zone over opposition-held territory and more weapons to the rebels to sanctions on Moscow for aiding Syrian President Bashar Assad."

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"Such talk has disappeared since Trump’s surprise election victory three weeks ago," it stated.

"And the sense of US powerlessness is so profound right now that even Obama’s Plan A – diplomatic efforts with Russia – doesn’t seem to be taking on added urgency," it said.

"Before the election, officials had hoped to use the looming reality of a Hillary Clinton presidency and her talk of a more hawkish Syria policy to extract some Russian concessions that might lead to a cease-fire and talks on a post-Assad future for Syria," it said.

"But with Trump’s presidency less than eight weeks away, the Russians can wait out the clock on Obama and see if a better deal awaits them," it said.

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