Russia CANCELS visit to France as relations with volatile Vladimir Putin collapse over claims the Kremlin has committed war crimes in Syria
President Hollande has suggested Russia could face charges over its bombardment of Aleppo
VOLATILE Russian President Vladimir Putin has cancelled a visit Paris next week, as tensions between Russia and the West build.
Putin had been invited to discuss the situation in Syria with French President Francois Hollande.
A French presidency source revealed Putin has cancelled the visit, amid accusations Russia has committed war crimes over its bombing of civilian areas in Syria.
The source said: "There were contacts between the Kremlin and the Elysee this morning to offer to Putin a working visit on Syria, but excluding all other events that President Hollande could have taken part in.
"In response to this proposal, Russia has just indicated that it wants to postpone the visit planned on October 19."
The Kremlin blocked a UN bid to end the bombing of Aleppo on Saturday.
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President Hollande has suggested Russia could face war crime charges over its bombardment of the Syrian city.
He had also suggested that he was considering refusing to meet with Putin, before the Russian president pulled out of the visit.
President Hollande told television channel TMC: "These are people who today are the victims of war crimes.
"Those that commit these acts will have to face up to their responsibility, including in the International Criminal Court.
"If I do receive him, I will tell him that it is unacceptable. It could also seriously affect Russia's image."
Russia has repeatedly denied attacking civilians in Syria.
The Russian leader was also scheduled to inaugurate a new Russian Orthodox cathedral and visit a Russian art exhibition while in the French capital.
US Secretary of State John Kerry called for a war crimes investigation into Russia's actions in Syria after an aid convey was blown up in Aleppo, during a ceasefire.
John Kerry said: “We don’t know at this point whether it was the Russians or the regime.
“In either case, the Russians have the responsibility certainly to refrain – refrain from taking such action themselves, but they also have the responsibility to keep the regime from doing it.”
The Sun Online reported yesterday that Latvia is on high alert after Putin sneaked nuclear-capable missiles into central Europe – sparking fears he is poised to attack.
He sent a ship loaded with an Iskander-M missile system to Kaliningrad, a small Russian enclave located between Poland and Lithuania, in a bid to boost his sphere of military influence.
Latvia’s defence ministry’s spokesman Kaspars Galkins said: “Due to increased activity of the Russian military near the Latvian borders Latvia’s national armed forces were given notice, and we increased ground, sea and air surveillance.”
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