In view of the dramatic developments in recent days, our meeting in New York today was marked by outrage at the despicable attacks against the United Nations and its humanitarian aid workers, as well as by great concern about the ceasefire and the fate of the agreement between the US and Russia.

It was clear to everyone that we are – once again – at a crossroads for Syria. I made clear that there is only one practicable path to a political settlement for Syria, that is, to keep on trying first to reduce the level of violence in the country. Regional powers must also do even more to achieve this.

We have agreed to intensify the talks and negotiations once again immediately in New York and plan to meet again on Friday morning to see how the ceasefire, and thus the agreements between the US and Russia, can be held.