Russians ‘must allow sustained Aleppo aid’

VLADIMIR PUTIN must allow “sustained” humanitarian access to the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, Cabinet minister Priti Patel has said.

The Russian leader has allowed a pause in attacks on the rebel-held city by Syrian government forces but held out the hope that he could halt his country’s air strikes on Aleppo indefinitely.

International Development Secretary Ms Patel said this was not enough and urged Moscow to end its bombing campaign altogether.

She said: “A short pause in the onslaught against Aleppo is woefully inadequate. We need to see an end to the bombing and full access for aid agencies to the city.

“More than a quarter of a million civilians are still trapped in Aleppo. They are in a dire situation as they face regular bombing and severe shortages.

“Russia needs to allow full and sustained humanitarian access. It also needs to end its participation in the bombing. Any movement of people out of the city must be voluntary and overseen by independent monitors to ensure civilian protection.

“What is needed is a return to a full and lasting cessation of hostilities, including safe humanitarian access, across the whole country as well as in Aleppo.”

Russia had promised an eighthour truce to allow suffering civilians to leave and to give rebels safe passage.

Syrian forces are attacking the rebel-held city under the cover of Russian air power.

After a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande in Berlin, Mr Putin said: “We informed them of our intention to continue, as much as possible, considering the situation on Syrian territory, a pause in the air strikes.