The State Department on Friday insisted that it would make no effort to coerce Russia into ending its Syria bombing campaign, and instead indicated it would rely on Russia to make that decision on its own.
The Syria peace talks were derailed just days into the effort this week, after Syrian opposition groups said the bombing must stop before talks can continue. Parties to a U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria agreed that peace talks would start only after everyone agrees to bring aid to Syria and end their bombing campaigns.
But Russia hasn’t stopped yet, and in State’s daily press briefing, spokesman John Kirby said State had no intention of using pressure to get Russia to change course.
“What needs to happen is the Russians need to meet their own commitments, and frankly, these questions you’re asking are good questions that should be asked in Moscow,” he said when asked what could be done.
“I understand and appreciate that you want me to say, ‘this is how we’re going to twist their arm,'” he continued. “It’s not about arm-twisting … it’s about meeting what they already said, that they would support a cease fire.”
When a reporter noted that Russia has failed to live up to its U.N. commitments, Kirby said, “exactly.”
“And so they need to meet their obligations,” he added. “It’s not about arm-twisting, it’s about doing what you said you were going to do.”
Just before Kirby spoke, Secretary of State John Kerry said that “whining” about Russia was another tool that wouldn’t work, although he indicated that “engaging” with Russia might.
“But it’s not going to stop just by whining about it,” Kerry said. “It’s not going to stop by walking away from the table and not engaging.”
