Furious Vladimir Putin CANCELS visit to Paris after Francois Hollande insists they discuss Russia's support of Syria's President Assad
- Vladimir Putin has cancelled a trip to Paris set to take place next week
- Comes after French leader Francois Hollande insisted they talk about Syria
- The visit would have seen Putin undertake several visits in French capital
- But Hollande was only prepared to meet Russian president for Syria talks
Vladimir Putin has pulled out of a visit to Paris next week to meet with Francois Hollande who insisted they discuss Russian support for Syria's President Assad.
The Kremlin confirmed this morning that Putin had cancelled the trip to the French capital where he was due to meet with Hollande and German chancellor Angela Merkel.
The long-planned visit to Paris, which would have taken place next Wednesday, would have seen Putin inaugurate a new Russian Orthodox church near the Eiffel Tower as well as visit a Russian cultural centre and an exhibition
It is thought that Hollande had told the Kremlin that the only event he wanted to attend with Putin during his visit would be a 'working meeting' on Syria.
The French president's office then said that Moscow 'let it be known that it wanted to postpone the trip.'
More...
But the Kremlin hit back saying Putin is happy to go to France but only when the 'French president is ready.'
His spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'Regrettably, those events dropped out of the program,' saying it's up to the French side to explain the reason.
He added: 'The president decided to cancel the visit.'
He also said that Putin could visit France at a later date which would be 'comfortable' for Hollande.
Putin cancelling his trip to Paris comes after Hollande left open the question of whether he would receive the Russian leader, describing the scorched-earth campaign in Aleppo as a war crime.
Hollande told the TMC Channel: 'I asked myself the question... Is it useful? Is it necessary? Can it be a way of exerting pressure? Can we get him to stop what he is doing with the Syrian regime?'
Meanwhile yesterday, it was announced that France will ask the International Criminal Court's prosecutor to launch an investigation into war crimes it says have been committed by Syrian and Russian forces in eastern Aleppo.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told France Inter radio: 'These bombings - and I said it in Moscow - are war crimes. It includes all those who are complicit for what's happening in Aleppo, including Russian leaders.
'We shall contact the International Criminal Court prosecutor to see how she can launch these investigations.'
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also called for a war crimes investigation last week.
But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova: 'It is very dangerous to play with such words because war crimes also weigh on the shoulders of American officials.
It is unclear how the ICC could proceed given that the court has no jurisdiction for crimes in Syria because it is not a member.
It appears the only way for the case to make it to the ICC would be through the U.N. Security Council referral, which has been deadlocked over Syria. Moscow vetoed a French resolution in May 2014 to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC.
Most Read News
You may now grope the bride: Chinese newlywed 'allows guests to molest her during the ceremony to...
Don't Miss
Have you missed me? Lauren Goodger showcases her curves in form fitting leather skirt as she makes a... Feeling blue without William? Kate is elegant in a Catherine Walker suit as she makes her first offi... Arise Sir Rod! Stewart wears quirky tartan trousers to be knighted by Prince William as he is suppor... 'I look like a 19-year-old prostitute': Kylie Jenner confronts Twitter troll after she's likened to ... 'It's embarrassing for me!' Ex On The Beach's Lillie Lexie Gregg is left distraught AGAIN after Gaz ... There's only a few weeks until Christmas! But don't worry, there are s... 'Everyone thought he was some kind of saint but he's not': Pete Wicks' ex Jacqui Ryland accuses TOWI... Busty Myleene Klass narrowly avoids a wardrobe malfunction in a plunging silver dress with dangerous... Shia LaBeouf marries girlfriend Mia Goth in '$700 Las Vegas wedding ceremony' officiated by Elv... Laura Whitmore rocks a military chic ensemble for Strictly rehearsals with Giovanni Pernice... as da... 'Judges judge the dancing - nothing else': BBC defends itself against racism claims after Tameka Emp... Giddy Gigi Hadid is flanked with heavy security as she's mobbed by fans at Dubai mall... one month a... Imogen Thomas oozes sex appeal as she shows off her ample assets and trim midriff in skimpy bikini o... Pregnant EastEnders star Kellie Bright displays her baby bump in comfy grey tracksuit as her due dat... What a cheek! Former TOWIE star Pascal Craymer shows off her posterior in a sexy sheer bodysuit with... Evan Rachel Wood cradles her son as she jets out of LAX with mystery male pal... after stripping nud... Make-up free Cara Delevingne looks tired and dishevelled as she is gripped to her mobile phone out i... Geri Horner, 44, debuts her baby bump as she joins husband Christian at Attitude Awards after announ... 'Cali life': Caroline Flack showcases her trim figure in a neon swimsuit as she enjoys California br... Alessandra Ambrosio goes braless in a plunging red playsuit as she models a sexy bohemian ensemble f... James Corden is the loving dad as he holds son Max's hand with wife Julia during family stroll in Ca... Out on the TOON! Geordie Shore's Sophie Kasaei goes braless in strappy top as she flaunts her curves... Bloodied Liev Schreiber looks unrecognisable during the opening night of Dangerous Liaisons' on... Kim Kardashian thinks the thieves who robbed her were 'amateurs' because they argued among themselve... 'I'm the guy you didn't count on': Tom Cruise makes a startling prophecy in dramatic new teaser trai... 'He's a vet. Holding an animal. In scrubs. Oh lord': Women swoon over hunky vet on First Dates... 'Man crush every day': Teen star Bella Thorne suggestively straddles her new beau Tyler Posey after ... New romance? Jake Gyllenhaal cuddles up to mystery brunette beauty as he enjoys some downtime in... The Godfather of luggage! Iconic actor Andy Garcia, 60, wheels an enormous bag of golf clubs as he l... Took your love for granted? Rihanna and Drake Rihanna 'split' AGAIN as the rapper linked to another ...