German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that until US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, there cannot be any major steps toward a political solution for Syria. “We know that until a new U.S. administration takes over in Washington there cannot be any major steps towards a political solution. Thus, it is even more important – and we were agreed on this – despite the heated military situation we must find options for providing humanitarian aid to the population. That is of course particularly important for East Aleppo but also other regions of Syria where humanitarian supplies and medical care are completely lacking,” said the German top diplomat, who also referred to the resumption of the bombardment of the rebel-held East Aleppo, where a renewed escalation has significantly worsened a humanitarian situation; with medical centers reportedly failing to provide services. “The resumption of the bombardment of East Aleppo is a renewed escalation in a civil war that has been going on far too long. It has not only worsened the humanitarian situation but more people are dying and those who are contributing to this bombardment must take responsibility for that,” added Steinmeier.
