NATO calls on Russia to stop attacks on Aleppo

BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Wednesday the continued bombing of Aleppo by Russia as "disgraceful".
"Russia has resumed the bombing of Aleppo which is exacerbating a humanitarian catastrophe. Men, women and children are dying every day. Killed by disgraceful attacks on their homes and even their hospitals," he told reporters ahead of a two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers.
He said that "Russia's continued support for the Assad regime in Syria is also deeply troubling" adding that "we need to see an end to indiscriminate attacks." The NATO chief said Russia continues to destabilise eastern Ukraine with military and financial support for the separatists.
"These moves do not lower tensions or restore predictability to our relations," he said.
The deployment of Russia's Kuznetsov carrier group to the Eastern Mediterranean raises concerns that these assaults could increase, he warned.
He noted that later today, NATO defence ministers will take decisions on the planned training and capacity-building in Iraq.
The ministers will also decide on a possible maritime role for NATO in the Central Mediterranean, which could support the EU's Operation Sophia to stop illegal migration. (end) nk.mt