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Kremlin says Russia is likely to break humanitarian pause if Syrian crisis deteriorates

The Kremlin spokesman pointed out that the extension of the humanitarian pause would depend on various conditions

MOSCOW, October 21. /TASS/. Russia could break the humanitarian pause in Aleppo if the situation deteriorates there, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

"The situation is rapidly changing," Peskov said. "It may change for the worse so the decisions (about extending or breaking the pause) are taken proceeding from the current situation."

The Kremlin spokesman pointed out that the extension of the humanitarian pause would depend on various parameters.

"It will depend on how the process of militants’ exit from Aleppo - unfortunately, so sluggish yet - will be proceeding; on how security will be ensured for humanitarian aid convoys and on which policy the militants will prefer, namely whether they will go on with their aggressive advances or not, and whether this humanitarian pause would be used for regrouping, reequipping and additional arming of terrorist groups," he said.

Peskov did not elaborate on whether Moscow had made an oral promise to the UN to extend the pause till Monday. Also, he gave no details on how often Russia would update the decision about the pause extension.