US and Russia far apart on Syria peace and ceasefire

"We have grave differences with the Russians in terms of both the parties we support but also the process that is required to bring about peace in Syria," US President Barack Obama told reporters Sunday at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China.

The two powers, which support opposing sides, continued to negotiate a ceasefire in the face of obstacles, after the last one agreed in February broke down. Fighting in the five-year conflict has escalated in many areas, especially in the north since the Turkish invasion and the Aleppo region. US sources Sunday released a truce proposal for Aleppo that called on Assad’s army and its Hizballah and pro-Iranian allies to pull back from highways leading into the embattled city to make way for the passage of vital humanitarian assistance from Turkey and the North. This would necessitate the demilitarization of the Castello Road held by the Syrian army.

Both Washington and Moscow realize that even a partial deal between them wouldn’t last long because it would soon be violated by one or more of the combatants. 

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