Samantha Power to Russia: Stop ‘Barbarism’ in Syria

In an address Sunday to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power called on Russia to end its “barbarism” in Syria. “Instead of pursuing peace, Russia and Assad make war,” Power said, referring to the Syrian president. “Instead of helping get lifesaving aid to civilians, Russia and Assad are bombing the humantiarian convoys, hospitals and first responders who are trying desperately to keep people alive.” Power added that she is looking for “any way possible” to restore a broken ceasefire that was agreed to earlier this month. The war of words comes as the Syrian government said Thursday it was launching an operation to retake the rebel-held city of Aleppo. Russia’s ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin, said bringing peace to Syria is “almost an impossible task now” due to the fighting.