The discussion on Syria took place as the situation in the country remains tense, especially around the city of Aleppo, where a humanitarian pause has been announced, lasting 11 hours, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (05:00 to 16:00 GMT), so that civilians could escape Aleppo’s eastern districts and aid convoys could safely reach those who remain.
German chancellor Angela Merkel said that the talks were tough and difficult. She claimed that Russia bears responsibility for the launch of political process in Syria
"In a trilateral format, with the participation of the Russian president, we discussed the situation in Syria. These were harsh and difficult talks," Merkel said.
She added that in order to separate civilians from terrorists it was necessary to stop bombing Aleppo.
"The bombings that are being carried out are inhumane. We are confident that there is no possibility of separating terrorists from civilians when such bombings are underway," Merkel said.
French President Francois Hollande said that a humanitarian pause in Aleppo lasting several hours is pointless.
"There is no sense in a ceasefire lasting several hours because it is necessary to deliver humanitarian aid. Also, some groups need to leave Aleppo," Hollande said at a press conference after talks with Russian and German leaders on the situation in Syria.
He said the West understood that Jabhat Fatah al Sham (also known as al-Nusra Front) militants were in the Aleppo area and even in Aleppo itself, but, he pointed out, one should not mix terrorists and so-called moderate opposition.
The French leader said what was happening in Aleppo was a war crime.
A pause of 11 hours has been agreed for Aleppo, which has seen severe fighting, in order to let civilians escape from the eastern districts of the city and receive aid. The militants could also use two secure corridors to leave eastern Aleppo heading to Idlib, according to chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy.
