Al Jazeera's Rory Challands writes in a blog post that Russia's position on Syria has shifted to be more in line with the West and the Arab League.

"Its patience with Assad's government isn't limitless," Challands writes.

"Russia is in a difficult and isolated position. Moscow has been a friend of Syria for decades, and has vetoed two UN Security Council resolutions condemning the killing. It needs to look after its strategic and economic interests in Syria, but not appear too much like the protector of a repressive and violent government."