Russia Launches Diplomatic Effort to End Violence in Syria

Russia today announced a diplomatic initiative to halt the violence in Syria, after rejecting a U.S. and European bid to impose United Nations sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad for his attacks on anti-government protesters.

Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, told reporters in New York that a “very important envoy from Moscow” will travel to Damascus on Aug. 29. The Russian mission later identified the envoy as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.