PARIS – France’s foreign minister is calling on the International Criminal Court to investigate Russia for possible war crimes in Syria.

Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told France-Inter radio Monday that “France intends to get in touch with the prosecutor to find out how the probe can be launched.”

Ayrault says France disagrees with Russia’s “bombarding” of Aleppo and “is committed as never before to saving the population.”

He says the investigation would hinge on Moscow’s role in the aerial offensive in the rebel-held eastern part of the city.

Russia on Saturday blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution on the cessation of hostilities in Aleppo proposed by France and Spain.

Last month, Ayrault warned that Russia would be guilty of war crimes if Moscow didn’t pressure President Bashar Assad to stop escalating violence.


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