LOC02:24
23:24 GMT
WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (KUNA) -- The US State Department said that Russia "bears a unique responsibility" for the over 400 civilian deaths in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, over the past days.
"It is a good reminder that Russia bears a unique responsibility for what is taking place there," the Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters.
"Without Russia backing Syria (regime) the devastation and the deaths would certainly not be occurring," Nauert stressed.
She noted that the Astana peace talks were a "failure" where Russia and Iran were serving as guarantors.
"They developed de-escalation zones. One of those de-escalation zones was Eastern Ghouta," she highlighted.
"They have starved people there, they have prevented humanitarian aid from getting in -- That is certainly no de-escalation zone.
"They can get back to trying to create a de-escalation zone, but we want them to get back to the Geneva process," she added.
Meanwhile, the White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said that they are monitoring the situation but would not hint to if any further action would be announced.
"The Assad regime and Russia's actions on this front are on notice," Shah said. (end)
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