A Free Syrian Army (FSA) millitant (Photo: cbc.ca)

Lieutenant-General Viktor Poznikhir told reporters on Wednesday that the initiative was a result of a telephone call between the two countries’ foreign ministers. He said the situation in Syria is worsening, with opposition groups taking advantage of the seven-day truce to replenish ammunition and weapons, regroup, and launch operations to capture new territory. Poznikhir said terrorist groups in Syria are also preparing chemical weapons attacks against the Syrian army and residential areas in eastern Aleppo. But he confirmed that humanitarian aid convoys are still traveling to the most-affected areas.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US will suspend all collaboration and dialogue with Russia to end the prolonged conflict in Syria, unless the Russian and Syrian governments halt the attacks on Aleppo and revive the ceasefire.