LOC19:05
16:05 GMT
BRUSSELS, Oct 20 (KUNA) -- French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday that his priority is to prolong the truce in Aleppo, but warned that all options against Russia are open.
"Yesterday with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel we put pressure on Putin so that he makes a truce and ends the bombing. All options are open as long as there is no truce and if there is a wish to crush Aleppo," he added.
"I am here to put all the necessary pressure to extend the truce. There can be no political discussion on next steps without this," Hollande told journalists ahead of a meeting of EU leaders.
"Mosul has not yet been conquered, it is for the Iraqis - France takes its part - to reconquer Mosul. I recall that Mosul is the capital of Daesh, it is there that the attacks on France where plotted, so the fall of Mosul will be very important," he said.
On his part, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: "I am of the opinion that the discussion should be on hardening sanctions, not softening. Russia is contravening now all international rules and it is a big destabilizer in the region."
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said: "According to the last talks I don't think there are going to be harder sanctions against Russia".
"Russia is an important partner for the EU, we need a unite position, but of course the external policy of Russia is a problem. Russia knows we can't keep the situation in Syria as it happens for the time being," he noted.
"Not to give access for humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable citizens and people there, to block humanitarian aid and NGO's helping people, this is a break of every international rule," added Schulz. (end)
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