Tough-talking Putin vows to continue bombing of ‘the innocents’ in Syria saying civilian deaths are a ‘sad reality of war’
Russian military will continue to pursue 'terrorists' even if they hid among civilians
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has vowed to carry on his merciless bombing campaign in Syria saying civilian deaths are just a "sad reality of war".
The tough-talking Premier told France's TF1 TV channel that his military leaders would continue to pursue "terrorists" even if they hid among innocent civilians.
"We can't allow terrorists to use people as human shields and blackmail the entire world," he said, adding that civilian deaths were the "sad reality of war".
Responding to claims his air strikes on civilian areas - dubbed the 'bombing of the innocents' - amounted to war crimes he said: "It's political rhetoric that does not mean much and does not take into account the realities in Syria.
"I am deeply convinced that it is our Western partners, first and foremost of course the United States, who are responsible for the situation."
Russia has accused the US of secretly supporting al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in Syria in its bid to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The US rejects the claim.
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Putin has dismissed suggestions that Russia could face war crimes charges over its bombardment of Syria's second city Aleppo.
He told French media the accusations were "rhetoric" that did not take into account the realities in Syria.
French President Francois Hollande had suggested Russian air strikes on Aleppo could amount to war crimes.
The rebel-held east of the city is under renewed bombardment after a ceasefire deal broke down.
Moscow has repeatedly denied attacking civilians, saying it targets terrorist groups in Syria.
But earlier this week, Mr Hollande said: "These are people who today are the victims of war crimes. Those that commit these acts will have to face up to their responsibility, including in the ICC [International Criminal Court]."
Neither Russia nor Syria is a member of the ICC.
Washington broke off all negotiations with Moscow nine days ago amid extreme tension over failure to secure a truce.
Despite recriminations over who was to blame for its failure, Russia and the US agreed on Wednesday to resume talks on Syria.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will now meet his US counterpart John Kerry and other key regional powers in Switzerland on Saturday.
Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said he hoped some progress would be made at the talks but admitted it would be hard.