Tensions with Russia Rise as US Suspends Syria Peace Talks

The relationship between Russia and the United States is getting heated over deals in Syria and a nuclear agreement.

On Monday, the United States announced it was suspending talks with Russia over the short-lived cease-fire in Syria. 

The Russians and Syrian Air Force have been carrying out relentless attacks and airstrikes against neighborhoods in Aleppo. Many targets have been hospitals.

The bombings have caused around 275,000 civilians to be trapped in areas of Aleppo, including 100,000 children. Hundreds of people have also been killed. 

 The United States is saying that Russia broke the agreement for a cease-fire to give humanitarian aid to the people in Syria's cities. 

"I make no apology, nor does President Obama, none whatsoever, for trying to reach out and find out if there's a way to achieve a political settlement," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said. 

He also said that diplomatic efforts in Syria have been "marred by these breaches of the cease-fire and the destruction and Russia's persistent support of Syrian President (Bashar) Assad in a way that is beyond the seeking of a political settlement," according to a report in The Atlantic. 

The U.S. and Russia are also at odds when it comes to the landmark arms control agreement that calls for each side to dispose of 34 tons of plutonium, material that is used in nuclear weapons.

After multiple threats and warnings from the U.S. over Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by withdrawing the agreement regarding the disposal of both nations' plutonium, an agreement that was solidified in 2000 as one of the disarmament deals of the early post-Cold War period.

The Obama administration said they regretted Putin's action and that Russia was the main destabilizing power in the region of Syria.