The Russian Defense Ministry announced an eight hours’ cessation of hostilities will ensue in the Syrian city of Aleppo to allow civilians and rebels to leave the besieged city. That said, Moscow has ruled out an extension to the ceasefire, stressing that would only give Islamist militants in the city an opportunity to regroup. “Given the situation, a unilateral ceasefire makes no sense, since Jabhat al-Nusra and groups allied to it will once again be given a breather, will regroup and restore their military capability,” said Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, Russian GSMOC Chief.
Russia’s Chief of the General Staff’s main operations command revealed that Moscow was working with other powers, which he said had influence over the Nusra Front – a rebel group with links to Al-Qaeda – to try and convince them to leave the city.
“Russian Federation is working with the U.N. and countries that have influence over Nusra Front to withdraw its formations out of Aleppo in accordance with the initiative by U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. We understand that settling all the issues would take time, so in the meantime we have decided not to lose time and to initiate a humanitarian pause first and foremost so that civilians can move freely, for the evacuation of the sick and wounded, and also for the removal of rebels,” added Rudskoy.
The United States responded to the Russian ceasefire, saying it was “too little too late.” The European Union on the other hand said it could be a good start, but it depended on whether humanitarian aid would reach the areas in the eastern part of the Syrian city that is in dire need.
“It can be a start. There are discussions ongoing, if the eight hours are enough for the convoys to deliver the aid in east Aleppo or not,” said EU’s Federica Mogherini.
The comments on the matter by EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini came following a meeting of the bloc’s 28 foreign ministers in Luxembourg, during which the EU condemned Russia’s air campaign in Syria, while issuing a written statement that says Russia might be guilty of war crimes, while vowing economic sanctions against the Syrian government of Bashar Assad. Even though the European Union has no military role in the Syrian conflict, the statement issued marked its harshest criticism of Russia’s role in Syria and came after days of negotiations and resistance from Russia’s allies in Europe. UN Special Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura, who attended the meeting in Luxembourg, warned that Aleppo was at risk of being reduced to rubble.
“I insisted on the fact that the issue of Aleppo is vital, is crucial. Any discussion that forgets the fact that between now and December, if we are not finding a solution for Aleppo, Aleppo will be not there anymore — is fundamental,” added Mogherini.
French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault warned against the “stain” that the conflict would leave on Europe’s history if the Union was not able to get together to put an end to the conflict.