EU to press Russia

EU officials are expected to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to take a stronger line on Syria during a summit in St Petersburg.



EU nations want Russia to put pressure on its ally to withdraw heavy weapons from cities and comply fully with envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.



Russia and China are also resisting US and EU calls to condemn President Bashar al-Assad and seek his removal.

On Sunday, Assad denied his forces had any role in the Houla massacre.