Russia has said it will consider supporting the UN-proposed ceasefire in Syria as long as it does not cover Isis and al Qaeda-linked groups.
The UN security council is due to meet later on Thursday to discuss an emergency resolution to halt the ferocious Syrian government led assault on the rebel-held enclave of eastern Ghouta.
The five-day operation has so far killed more than 300 people, reports The Independent.
Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al Assad, has historically used its position as a permanent member of the security council to veto most UN action in Syria's war.