Syrian government soldiers patrol Aleppo streets devastated by fierce fighting.

The conflict here has come to a stalemate, with little ground gained in the daily skirmishes on both sides.

Syrians fleeing the conflict say they do not support the rebels or President Bashar al-Assad.

Instead, they have called on the international community to step in to end the violence.

But on Saturday, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country refused to support sanctions against Syria.

In a press conference at the APEC meeting in Vladivostok, he said sanctions proposed by Western states are becoming yet more wide ranging and will directly hit Russian business.

He added that his country would support joint talks between Syria's government and opposition groups.

Syria's bloody 17-month uprising has seen tens of thousands killed and many more seeking refuge in neighboring countries.