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Russian strikes in Aleppo made Syria talks "very very difficult" - Kerry

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (KUNA) -- Only 48 hours before Moscow-sponsored Munich Security Conference on Syria gets underway, US Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged Russian airstrikes on civilians in Aleppo in recent days have made prospects for any kind of agreement "very very difficult." Kerry told reporters Tuesday that he will continue to call on Russia to "to join in the effort to bring about an immediate ceasefire and to bring about full humanitarian access" in Syria.
"We are not blind to what is happening," he said. "We are all very, very aware of how critical this moment is, and Russia needs to contribute in significant ways to sustaining the ability of the opposition and others to come to the table and create an atmosphere within which you can actually have a negotiation." The US will still go to Munich "with great hopes," Kerry affirmed.
"The crisis of humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before the eyes of the world; the pressures on the region of displaced people, of refugees; the dumb bombs, cluster bombs that are being used that are killing innocent women and children; the stacking up of people seeking an outlet who are starving, who need food. Russia needs to join with all of us in understanding that this cannot go on, and that they have a major responsibility as a co-convener of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to create the framework within which that group can be successful and their word will be good," he emphasized. (end) ys.bs