Turkey to step up Russia talks on Aleppo ceasefire

Turkey will intensify talks with Russia for a ceasefire to end the "humanitarian tragedy" in Aleppo, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said today, as Ankara accused Syria of violating international law.
The announcement came as the UN accused forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of executing dozens of civilians in the former rebel stronghold of Aleppo.
"Today, tomorrow, everyday, we will intensify our talks with Russia and other countries so we can find a solution to this humanitarian tragedy," Cavusoglu said at a press conference with his Czech counterpart in Ankara.
"Our efforts continue in particular for civilians to be able to leave and for a ceasefire."

Asked about possible Aleppo talks with Moscow on Wednesday, Cavusoglu said Turkish officials often met with their Russian counterparts, insisting it was "not a special meeting".
Shortly after, the Turkish foreign ministry issued a statement in which it said it was "horrified and outraged by the massacre of civilians" in eastern Aleppo by the Syrian regime and its supporters.

It added civilians wanting to leave the city were not given the chance to as it called for a halt to the bombings so people could leave safely.
Russia has been engaged in an air campaign over Syria since September 2015 in support of Assad, with its actions helping change the fortunes of the regime, which now appears on the cusp of recapturing all of Aleppo.

Forces loyal to Assad have said the offensive in Syria's second city is in its "final phase" after they seized more than 90 per cent of the eastern districts which had been held by the rebels since 2012.
The Turkish foreign ministry also accused the regime and its supporters -- without naming individual countries -- of violating "international humanitarian law".
The ministry expressed concern over two neighbourhoods where tens of thousands of civilians were stuck and where opposition fighters were presently facing a similar fate to other parts of the city.
"The regime and its supporters' responsibility is obvious," it said.