French President Francois Hollande has suggested Russia could face war crimes charges over its bombardment of the city of Aleppo in Syria.
Smoke rises after a residential area in the Darat Izza neighbourhood of Aleppo was bombed, apparently by Russia. Photo: AFP
Mr Hollande told French TV this could take place in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He also said he might refuse to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to visit France next week.
Last week Russia vetoed a Franco-Spanish UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to the bombing.
Russia wanted the resolution to remove all references to aerial bombardment.
Moscow has repeatedly denied attacking civilians, and said it targets terrorist groups in Syria.
Neither Russia nor Syria is a member of the International Criminal Court.
"These are people who today are the victims of war crimes. Those that commit these acts will have to face up to their responsibility, including in the ICC," Mr Hollande told TMC.
"If I do receive him [Mr Putin], I will tell him that it is unacceptable. It could also seriously affect Russia's image," Mr Hollande said.
His call for Russia to be prosecuted came as French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said France was working to find a way for the ICC prosecutor to launch an investigation into attacks on rebel-held eastern Aleppo.
Last week US Secretary of State John Kerry also called for war crimes charges, saying Russian and Syrian government attacks on hospitals were "beyond the accidental" and part of a deliberate strategy.
-BBC
