Aleppo Ceasefire: Russia Supports 2-Day Syria Truce For Aid Delivery

While not giving in entirely to the United States’ demand to stop bombing rebel-held areas in Aleppo, Syria, Russia said Thursday it would support a two-day ceasefire to allow delivery of aid supplies to the besieged city, Russian media reported.

A ceasefire deal between the Syrian regime and the rebels, brokered by the U.S. and Russia, fell apart on Sept. 19, and the Syrian military, backed by Russia, began its biggest offensive yet to retake the country’s biggest city, parts of which have long been controlled by forces opposed to President Bashar Assad.

On Wednesday, the U.S. had issued a warning to Russia to cut off coordination over Syria if the latter did not stop bombing rebel-controlled areas of Aleppo. The U.S. had also called for a seven-day ceasefire.

Rejecting the proposal, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday his country was willing to support a 48-hour truce on humanitarian grounds, adding that seven days would give militant organizations time to regroup. According to local news outlets, he also labeled the U.S. threat to stop coordination an “emotional breakdown.”