MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Monday, a vote on a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Syria's Aleppo at the UN Security Council was vetoed by Russia and China.
“Without doubt, the Kremlin would like to hope that such agreements can be reached, but as you know the process is complex, it is either resumed, or collapses, and it collapses, every time collapses not on our initiative,” Peskov told reporters answering a corresponding question.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in Hamburg, Germany and discussed a possible settlement for the Syrian city. The diplomats continued the discussion by phone on Thursday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced.
The situation in Aleppo has been seriously deteriorating over the recent months. Thousands of citizens are believed to be trapped in the terrorist-besieged eastern parts of Aleppo with no access to food or water. There have been several attempts to establish a ceasefire, however the bids have failed.
Syrian government forces have been fighting against multiple opposition and terrorist groups, including Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, or al-Nusra Front.
Over recent months, Aleppo has become a major battleground in Syria. Thousands of civilians are believed to be trapped in Aleppo without access to food, water, electricity or medical assistance as Syrian government troops and rebel forces continue to fight for its control.
Russia has been providing consistent humanitarian aid to Syrians who have been gravely affected by the civil war in the country.