U.S. Suspends Syria Talks With Russia

The United States on Monday formally suspend its talks with Russia about Syria following the Russian military’s bombing of rebel-held parts of Aleppo, despite a previous ceasefire agreement. “The United States is suspending its participation in bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain the cessation of hostilities,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. Several days after the September 9 cease-fire agreement, the deal collapsed and the Syrian government, along with Russia forces, continued rebel strongholds in the key northern Syrian city. “This is not a decision that was taken lightly,” Kirby added. “The United States spared no effort in negotiating and attempting to implement an arrangement with Russia aimed at reducing violence, providing unhindered humanitarian access, and degrading terrorist organizations operating in Syria... Unfortunately, Russia failed to live up to its own commitments.”