Russia withdraws request to refuel Syria-bound warships in Spanish enclave

Russian warships on the way to Syria will not stop in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta to refuel, after outrage from Nato allies towards Madrid forced a review of the decision.

Spain had previously signed agreements accusing Russia of war crimes in the region, after Vladimir Putin's forces had aided airstrikes on the war-torn city of Aleppo.

The flotilla led by aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was supposed to make a stop in the semi-autonomous North-African region before making its way to Syria, but now will have to coordinate another route.

The Spanish foreign office announced the news on Wednesday afternoon, but Russia has still to offer a reason for the withdrawal of the request.

"The Russian embassy has just informed us that it is withdrawing the request for permission for stopovers for these ships and these stopovers have therefore been cancelled," the announcement said.

A raft of Nato representatives had criticised Spain's initial decision to allow the warships to refuel.

"I have expressed that very clearly about potential use of this battle group to increase Russia’s ability and to be a platform for airstrikes against Syria," Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said when asked about the decision.

Tensions have sharpened further between Russia and Western powers in the wake of devastating attacks on the north Syrian city, after a ceasefire in September provided hope for a long-term resolution.