PARIS— Europe’s top diplomats, the United States and Russia jostled to lay out their positions Thursday on how best to end the civil war in Syria, which has sent millions fleeing their homes and killed thousands.
A central issue at the U.N.’s largest gathering of world leaders next week will be how and whether to include Syrian President Bashar Assad in any talks about the future of the country.
In the U.S., envoys said the Obama administration refused to negotiate over a Russian statement they feared would strengthen Assad’s hand at the United Nations. But efforts to stem the long-running crisis have new urgency in Europe, which is divided over how to deal with a new influx of refugees fleeing the war zone.
Russia, meanwhile, is bolstering military support for Assad, while U.S. support for rebels fighting the Syrian leader has foundered. About 4 million people have fled Syria during the conflict, which the U.N. says has killed more than 250,000.
A Kremlin spokesman has said Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet President Barack Obama on Monday.
A draft of Russia’s council statement, obtained by The Associated Press, urges countries to fight extremist groups “in coordination with the governments of the affected states.”
Sheba Crocker, the assistant U.S. secretary of state for international organization affairs, confirmed that the U.S. told Russia it couldn’t back the proposed statement.
