Putin, Russian Security Council Discuss Aleppo Humanitarian Pause, Mosul

The Russian president and Security Council exchanged views on the developments in Syria and Iraq.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — President Vladimir Putin discussed an extended 11-hour humanitarian pause in the Syrian city of Aleppo and Iraq's campaign to retake Mosul with the Russian Security Council, the Kremlin said Friday.

"A detailed discussion was held on the situation in Aleppo in the context of the humanitarian pause," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Its importance was noted for the start to the separation process of the moderate opposition from terrorists."

Peskov added that the participants exchanged views on the Iraqi-led advance on Mosul that got underway this week.

"Concerns were voiced in connection with a potential cross-flow of fighters into Syria, as well as an abrupt increase in the flow of refugees," he stressed.