The State Department defended the US decision to suspend its participation in bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain the cessation of hostilities.

Unfortunately, Russia failed to live up to its own commitments - including its obligations under international humanitarian law and UNSCR 2254 - and was also either unwilling or unable to ensure Syrian regime adherence to the arrangements to which Moscow agreed, State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

The US also decided to withdraw personnel that had been dispatched in anticipation of the possible establishment of the Joint Implementation Center.

Source: MENA)