David Ignatius: Russia 'may be blamed' over Syria

UN peace envoy Kofi Annan is to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, days before the mandate for a UN observer's mission in Syria runs out on Friday.

Earlier on Monday Mr Lavrov referred to Western "blackmail" over efforts to gain Russian support for a draft UN resolution.

David Ignatius, foreign affairs columnist for the Washington Post, told the BBC that Mr Annan will attempt to use what leverage remains with Russia by singling Moscow out for blame over the failure to secure a ceasefire in Syria.