US, Russia spar over terms to restore Syria cease-fire
Diplomats held a contentious meeting in an attempt to agree on bold measures to try to salvage a US-Russia cease-fire deal in Syria after it collapsed, but failed to reach agreement.
NEW YORK — Efforts to try to salvage a Syria cease-fire deal remained frustrated Sept. 22 after diplomats from the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) failed to reach consensus on steps to try to restore the cease-fire, which collapsed Sept. 19 after just one week.
"It's clear we cannot continue on the same path," US Secretary of State John Kerry said after the meeting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, leaving the ISSG meeting Sept. 22, said that nothing had been agreed to, and that consultations would be continuing.
US officials, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity after the meeting, said it had been very contentious, and said they were frustrated. But the United States would be willing to consider constructive ideas from Russia if it issued any, they said.
