Russia needs to understand that our patience is not infinite, John Kerry said. (AFP Photo)
US Secretary of State John Kerry told Russia and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today to respect a fragile ceasefire, warning that Washington's patience was running out.
Russia needs to understand that our patience is not infinite, in fact it is very limited with whether or not Assad is going to be held accountable," Kerry said during a visit to Norway.
"We also are prepared to hold accountable members of the opposition" who have been involved in continuing violence, he said after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.
World powers have failed to turn a fragile cessation of hostilities in Syria, in effect since February 27, into a durable truce.
"It is very clear that the cessation of hostilities is frayed and at risk and that it is critical for a genuine cessation to be put in place. We know that, we have no illusion," Kerry said.
"This is a critical moment and we are working very. very hard to see if we can in the next week or two come to an agreement that has a capacity to more fully implement a ceasefire across the country and deliver humanitarian access in a way that then provides for a genuine opportunity to bring people to the table and start talking about a transition."
Syria's war has killed more than 280,000 people and displaced millions since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests in March 2011.