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France: Putin Will Not Meet With Hollande for Syria-Only Talks

by VOA News

   French officials said Tuesday Russian President Vladimir Putin will not
   be visiting France next week after President Francois Hollande insisted
   their meeting focus solely on Syria.

   Putin was due to travel to Paris October 19 for a visit that would
   include inaugurating a new Orthodox church.

   The change comes a day after French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault
   said Russia could face war crimes over its bombing campaign in Syria's
   northern city of Aleppo.

   Ayrault told France Inter radio the bombings are war crimes, and extend
   to "all those who are complicit for what's happening in Aleppo,
   including Russian leaders."

   He said France would consult with prosecutors from the International
   Criminal Court to see how to launch investigations.

   "We do not agree with what Russia is doing, bombarding Aleppo. France
   is committed as never before to saving the population of Aleppo,"
   Ayrault said.

   Russia has repeatedly denied attacking civilians in Syria, saying it
   targets terrorist groups in support of President Bashar al-Assad's
   government.

   On Saturday, Russia blocked a United Nations Security Council
   resolution proposed by France and Spain on ending the bombing in Syria.

   It is not clear how the ICC could investigate the bombings in Aleppo
   because neither Russia nor Syria is a member of the International
   Criminal Court. The matter could be referred to the court by the U.N.
   Security Council, but Russia, along with China, has used its veto power
   on the council to block several previous draft resolutions aimed at the
   Syrian government during the country's conflict.