U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry broke his self-imposed moratorium on talks with Russia over Syria after just 48 hours.
“They did talk about the situation on the ground in Syria,” Department of State spokesman Mark Toner confirmed at Wednesday’s press briefing. “What it is was simply a call.”
The Department of State issued a statement Monday, officially suspending bilateral relations with Russia over Syria.
“You tell the Russians one thing and then you turn around and don’t follow through on it. I mean, that’s what it looks like to me. So I appreciate your argument that that’s not what it is, but I just think it’s very confusing.” Associated Press reporter Matt Lee responded to Toner.
Toner strongly pushed back saying, “my argument back to you would be it would be irresponsible for Secretary Kerry not to raise what’s happening in Syria and make our concerns clear about what’s happening there.” Toner continued that “while that particular bilateral channel is now suspended, we’re not going to just walk away from what’s happening in Syria.”
Kerry doubled down on his declaration to suspend bilateral relations Tuesday, saying “the United States announced our decision to suspend the bilateral discussions with Russia on the re-institution of the cessation of the hostilities agreement. A decision that, believe me, does not come lightly.”
After a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Russia collapsed in September, Russia and the Assad regime have begun an all-out assault on rebel-held Aleppo. The U.S. warned Russia Sept. 28 it would cut off all contact on Syria, if they continued indiscrimately bombing the city. Russia paid little attention to the threat, even accusing Kerry of having an “emotional breakdown.”
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