Lavrov Tells Kerry Damascus Ready to Let Militants Exit Aleppo

© Sputnik / Michael Alaeddin / Go to the mediabankA liberated district of eastern Aleppo
A liberated district of eastern Aleppo - Sputnik International
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told US Secretary of State John Kerry in a phone conversation that Damascus is ready to let militants exit Aleppo, however, they refuse to cease fire, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Sergei Lavrov pointed out that Syrian authorities have been long ready let militants encirled there freely exit [eastern Aleppo], but they still refuse to cease fire being influenced by al-Nusra Front terrorist group's commanders," the statement read.

Lavrov also called on Washington to persuade Syrian rebel groups supported by Washington to stop hostilities in Aleppo.

The sun rises while smoke is pictured near Aleppo's historic citadel, as seen from a government-controlled area of Aleppo, Syria December 6, 2016. - Sputnik International
Silence After Chaos: A Look Into Aleppo's Liberated District (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
The Russian and US top diplomats also discussed the humanitarian situation in Aleppo. Lavrov told Kerry about the measures taken by the Syrian government and Moscow to help Syrian civilians.

Over the recent months, Aleppo became a major battleground in Syria between government forces and militants. On Tuesday, the Russian reconciliation center said that the Syrian government army was controlling over 98 percent of the territory of Aleppo, with militants present in less than 3 square kilometers (1.1 square mile).

According to the statement, the US Secretary of State said that Washington is working with Syrian opposition groups that sabotage UNSC demand on the immediate resumption of Syrian peace talks.

"John Kerry has assured that the US is working with opposition groups that are sabotaging the UN Security Council's demand for an urgent start of intra-Syrian talks without preconditions."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow at a meeting with French Foreign Affairs and International Development Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault. - Sputnik International
Lavrov Urges de Mistura to Stop Derailing Intra-Syrian Talks
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to "stop sabotaging political negotiations" on the Syrian crisis settlement.

The opposition and Damascus, along with the mediators, have been engaged in UN-brokered settlement talks. The latest round of intra-Syrian talks took place in Geneva in April. The HNC opposition group walked out of the negotiations, citing the continuous fighting in Syria and the lack of progress on humanitarian issues. HNC transition plans included constitutional revision in its final stage.

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