Germany's Steinmeier urges Russia to support lasting ceasefire in Syria
BERLIN- Germany's foreign minister urged Russia on Thursday to do more to bring about and enforce a lasting ceasefire in Syria, saying the situation there had escalated into "a humanitarian catastrophe."
Earlier on Thursday, Russia vowed to press on with its assault in Syria while US officials cast about for a tougher response to Moscow's decision to ignore the peace process and seek military victory on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke by telephone with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and called on Moscow and Washington to resume ceasefire discussions.
He said the two sides should hammer out at least a temporary truce to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to trapped civilians, Berlin's foreign ministry said in a statement.
