US: Russia has requested to postpone the ceasefire in Aleppo

John Kirby, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated on Monday that Russia has requested to postpone the ceasefire in eastern Aleppo during a communication with the US. According to Reuters, Syrian government forces, along with allies, have continued their advance in eastern Aleppo on Monday, and now the rebels control only a small part of Aleppo. In response to a question regarding the outcome of negotiations on Saturday and Sunday in Geneva, Kirby said: 'Instead of accepting the US proposal for an immediate ceasefire, Russia informed us that they cannot start a ceasefire for several more days.' The US State Department spokesperson emphasized that given the dire situation in Aleppo and reports of attacks on civilians and destruction of infrastructure, such an approach is unacceptable. Kirby also stated that despite deep disagreements between the two countries on this issue, expert negotiations in Geneva continue, but it seems that the Geneva talks have reached a deadlock. Reuters reported on Sunday, December 21, citing three officials from the Aleppo rebels, that based on a proposal presented by the US and Russia to the rebels, a safe route for their exit along with their families and remaining civilians in the rebel-held areas has been considered. According to this report, the 'US and Russia proposal' includes a 'safe and honorable' exit for the rebels and their families from the areas under their control in Aleppo; however, the rebels have not yet responded to this proposal. In response to this report, Russia stated that in the Geneva negotiations, it was seeking to create the necessary conditions for civilians to exit Aleppo, and 'the exit of militants from Aleppo is a subject of separate agreements that have not yet been reached.' Meanwhile, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, announced on Monday that the Geneva negotiations with the US have reached a deadlock and added that Russia is ready to negotiate the creation of a route for the exit of rebels from Aleppo, although such negotiations 'must take place before any ceasefire.' 'Russia and Syria are responsible for crimes in Aleppo.' Simultaneously with the defeat of the rebels in Aleppo, Ian Egeland, UN advisor on humanitarian assistance in Syria, stated on Monday that Russia and Syria are responsible for any crimes committed by the Assad-allied militants in Aleppo. Egeland wrote on Twitter: 'The Syrian government and Russia are accountable for any crimes (minor or major) that the victorious militants in Aleppo are committing.' Earlier reports indicated that Syrian government forces have managed to regain 95 percent of Aleppo from the rebel forces opposing Assad, and the rebels have retreated from six other areas in the eastern part of the city. Before the war, Aleppo was the largest city and economic center of Syria, which has been under the control of anti-Assad rebels since 2012.