United states hopes for Russia’s new stance on Syria

The United States is hoping that Russia will step up its efforts to help resolve the current political and humanitarian crises in Syria now that the presidential elections in Russia are over, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said. “It is something that we expect to take up virtually immediately with the Russian side, and our hope is that now that these elections are behind them that they will join all of us in doing more to push for humanitarian relief for the people of Homs and the people throughout Syria who are suffering at the hands of the regime,” Nuland told reporters on Monday. Washington has consistently criticized Russia’s lack of cooperation with international community in attempts to stop the ongoing violence in Syria, which is torn by clashes between troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and opposition forces. Syria has been the scene of continuous anti-government protests for nearly a year. According to the United Nations, more than 7,500 people have died in the unrest. Russia and China have twice vetoed U.N. Security Council resolutions on Syria that they believe could lead to a military operation against Syrian government forces as a repetition of “the Libyan scenario.” Both countries have, however, backed calls for humanitarian aid to be allowed to the worst-hit areas. Washington insists that Russia could be key to resolving the Syrian crisis because of Moscow’s influence with Syrian authorities.