The US has denounced Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad recent notice to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he claimed to be pushing for a "final victory" in the city of Aleppo.
"We call on Russia to urgently address this totally unacceptable statement," said a State Department spokesperson. "It's clearly an effort by Assad to push his agenda, but it is incumbent on Russia to assert influence on that regime to maintain the cessation of hostilities."