Russia, US to start talks on Aleppo factions

By Hakan Ceyhan Aydogan

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia and the U.S. will meet in Geneva to set a timetable for armed groups' withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, Russia’s foreign minister said on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Sergey Lavrov said a “route and timeframe” would be developed and added a ceasefire could come into effect as soon as agreement was reached.

However, he also warned that Russia would "treat any armed groups that refuse to leave eastern Aleppo as terrorists and will support the Syrian army's operations against these".

Lavrov also said Russia would not support a resolution by the UN Security Council demanding a temporary ceasefire in Aleppo.

The UN Security Council will vote Monday on a resolution drafted by Spain, Egypt and New Zealand calling for a seven-day ceasefire to deliver humanitarian aid to the war-torn city.