EU urges Russia, Turkey, Iran to uphold ceasefire in eastern Ghouta

European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has sent a letter to the foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey and Iran urging them to support the ceasefire in Syria’s eastern Ghouta and allow aid to enter the besieged areas.

In her letter, dated 26 February, Mogherini called on the three countries as guarantors of the Syrian peace talks in Astana to “implement a genuine humanitarian ceasefire for at least 30 consecutive days throughout Syria” and “take all necessary steps to ensure that the fighting stops, that the Syrian people are protected, and finally that urgent humanitarian access and necessary medical evacuations are taking place.”

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Meanwhile, the French foreign ministry also called on Russia and Iran to exert “maximum pressure” on the Syrian government to implement a UN-backed ceasefire in eastern Ghouta, which Paris says opposition groups have already agreed to support.

Russia yesterday accused opposition groups in the besieged area of blocking access to aid and denying the evacuation of those who want to leave, despite Moscow’s announcement of a humanitarian corridor.

The UN Security Council, including Russia, adopted a resolution on Saturday calling for a 30-day ceasefire across Syria.