Skip to main content

US gives up on working with Russia on Syria

The United States announced Oct. 3 it was suspending bilateral engagement with Russia on Syria, saying there was nothing more to talk about as Russia intensified its air attacks on Aleppo.
A man inspects damage near a hole in the ground after airstrikes on the rebel held al-Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria October 2, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail  - RTSQFXT

WASHINGTON — Saying its patience with Russia has run out, the United States formally announced Oct. 3 it was suspending its bilateral engagement with Russia on Syria, a decision the United States said it did not take lightly. While the United States was withdrawing its personnel from Geneva and Amman, Jordan, where they had been sent to oversee a partial Syria cease-fire deal reached in March, the United States will continue to talk to Russia in multilateral settings, and de-confliction channels would continue to operate, it said. 

“The United States spared no effort in negotiating and attempting to implement an arrangement with Russia aimed at reducing violence,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement announcing the decision Oct. 3.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.