‘Russia won’t stop bombing mission in Syria after ceasefire’

A top Russian diplomat says Moscow won’t stop its air strikes on Islamic State positions in Syria if and when a cease-fire there is announced.

The United States, Russia and Middle East nations are pushing for a political settlement in Syria that would bring the opposition and the Syrian government together for talks.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov said in an interview with the Interfax news agency on Thursday that the cease-fire is “meant to happen between parties of the Syrian domestic conflict” but that “this doesn’t mean an end to war on IS and other terrorist groups.”

Bogdanov said Russia should use any lull in hostilities to intensify its air strikes on IS militants.

Meanwhile, Syria’s foreign minister says the government is ready to take part in UN-organized peace talks and hopes the dialogue will help find a solution to the crisis. The UN Security Council last Friday unanimously approved a resolution endorsing a peace process for Syria including a cease-fire and talks between the Syrian government and the opposition. The UN plans to convene talks in Geneva in January.