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EU to Russia: stop bombing good guys

Russian warplanes.

Russian warplanes. Photo: Getty

The European Union has accused Russia of putting peace efforts at risk in Syria, calling on Moscow to stop bombing Western-backed rebels but failing to agree on a role for president Bashar al-Assad in resolving the crisis.

Seeking a common front in their criticism of Russia’s dramatic military intervention, EU foreign ministers warned that air strikes designed to support Mr Assad could also deepen the four-and-a-half-year civil war that has killed 250,000 people.

“The recent Russian military attacks … are of deep concern and must cease immediately,” ministers said in their most strongly-worded statement on Russia’s intervention.

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“The military escalation risks prolonging the conflict, undermining a political process, aggravating the humanitarian situation and increasing radicalisation.”

EU leaders are also expected to criticise Russia at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, EU officials said.

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Syrian boys walk amongst wreckage left by Russian bombers. Photo: Getty

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Its stark criticism of Moscow underscores just how far diplomatic efforts have faltered since a UN meeting in New York in late September, where Europe and the United States looked to Russia for help.

Russian incursions into Turkish airspace and air strikes directed not at Islamic State militants but at moderate opposition groups have alienated the West, while leaving EU and UN diplomacy in disarray, diplomats said.

Plans have evaporated for a “contact group” working with Russia, the United States, Iran and Saudi Arabia to find a post-conflict settlement, while EU diplomats have few ideas about how to find a political solution.

“All Assad’s main opponents are dead, in jail or in exile. And nobody wants another Libya,” said one EU diplomat involved in the discussions, referring to Libya’s collapse after its veteran leader Moamar Gaddafi was ousted.

The EU’s own position on Mr Assad remains unclear, with no agreement on whether Mr Assad could play a role in agreeing a ceasefire and paving the way for elections, or whether he should go into exile or into prison immediately.

Spain’s foreign minister reiterated Madrid’s view that the West will need to negotiate with Mr Assad to stabilise Syria.

“Negotiations are done between enemies,” Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo told reporters.

But France, which is investigating Mr Assad for war crimes, insisted that he must quit as soon as possible.

“For peace in Syria, we need a political transition. That must be done without Assad,” said France’s European affairs minister Harlem Desir.

Britain says Mr Assad cannot be allowed to remain as president but is willing to discuss how and when he might leave.

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