Russian Official Criticizes the U.S. for Suspending Syria Talks

Moscow criticized Washington for suspending bilateral talks on Syria, warning that this U.S. action would only benefit "terrorists." According to Interfax news agency, Anthony Antonov, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, stated on Tuesday, October 20, that those in Washington supporting the use of force have achieved a victory that is essentially a defeat. The U.S. suspended its communications with Moscow regarding the Syrian crisis on October 12 in response to continued Russian airstrikes in Aleppo. Washington claims that the military actions of Russia and the Syrian government are contrary to the ceasefire principle and the truce agreement in the country. However, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister expressed regret over Washington's decision, emphasizing that it is the United States that has caused the failure of the truce agreement in Syria. Antonov stated, "The Americans did not want (or perhaps could not) to separate the opposition cooperating with the anti-ISIS coalition from the terrorists of the al-Nusra Front and help open the Castello Road, which is the main route for delivering aid to the people of Aleppo." He then stressed, "Russia continues its decisive battle against international terrorism in principle and strives to prevent the situation in Syria from becoming more unmanageable." This Russian official ultimately stated that Russia does not reject negotiations with the U.S. but is ready to resume them with mutual respect. Washington had previously labeled the actions of Russia and Syria as "war crimes" and called for international investigations into them. According to U.S. officials, Russian and Syrian military forces target ordinary Syrian citizens in their airstrikes and continue to attack hospitals, women, and children.