UPDATE - US suspends cooperation with Russia on Syria cease-fire

ADDS WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. is suspending its cooperation with Russia over maintaining a cease-fire agreement to end violence in Syria, a spokesman said Monday.

"The United States is suspending its participation in bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain the Cessation of Hostilities," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a written statement. "This is not a decision that was taken lightly."

According to Kirby, the U.S. spared no effort in "negotiating and attempting to implement an arrangement with Russia" to reduce violence in Syria, to provide humanitarian access to besieged towns in the war-torn country and to defeat Daesh and al-Qaeda operating there.

Kirby also accused Russia of failing to live up to its commitments under international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2254 that seeks a cease-fire and political solution for Syria and its obligations to make sure Syrian President Bashar Assad abides by the cease-fire deal.

"Rather, Russia and the Syrian regime have chosen to pursue a military course, inconsistent with the Cessation of Hostilities, as demonstrated by their intensified attacks against civilian areas, targeting of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching civilians in need, including through the Sept. 19 attack on a humanitarian aid convoy," Kirby said.

He added that the U.S. would continue to utilize the channel of communications established last year with Russia to de-conflict counterterrorism operations in Syria.

At the White House, spokesman Josh Earnest added that Moscow was "not serious" about living up to its commitments under the ceasefire deal, "and that has tragic consequences for the situation in Syria."

He emphasized that a resolution to the Syrian crisis must be focused on achieving a long-sought political transition in the country, not forcing a military victory.

"The United States believes a political transition inside of Syria is necessary. Russia believes that a political transition inside of Syria is necessary," he said. "Both countries also acknowledge the threat from extremism and the hope was that the Russians would use their diplomatic influence with the Assad regime to reduce the violence inside of Syria, allow for the flow of humanitarian assistance inside of Syria, and create space for a diplomatic solution or political solution inside of Syria."

Earlier Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the cease-fire was suspended due to Washington's "uncertain approach" toward the crisis in Syria.

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this report