“Russia not promoting Syria peace talks”

A war of words between Russia and the UK has gained momentum after the latter said Moscow can’t promote Syria peace talks by bombing special targets in the war-torn country.

The UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said there was a limit to how long Russia could pose as a promoter of the peace process while bombing President Bashar Assad’s opponents.

“Is Russia really committed to a peace process or is it using the peace process as a fig leaf to try to deliver some kind of military victory for Assad?” Hammond said.

Hammond said Russia was strengthening ISIL on the ground by propping up Assad and bombing his opponents.

Russia says it targets a range of terrorists in Syria, not just ISIL terrorists, although it insists it focuses on the terrorist group.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized Hammond for questioning Russia’s military action in Syria, saying his statements could not be taken seriously.

The accusations come as a United Nations Envoy Staffan de Mistura met Syrian government representatives on Tuesday as part of efforts to advance peace talks that have been rendered almost impossible by continued fighting in a conflict.

The war which began back in 2011 has left at least 260,000 people and caused a refugee crisis in the region and Europe.

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