Putin cancels France visit after President Hollande accuses Russia of war crimes

The Kremlin announced Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be visiting France next week as planned. Though the Kremlin said the cancellation was due to a change in the event schedule, CNN reported it likely has to do with French President Francois Hollande's recent remark that Moscow may be guilty of war crimes in Syria.

In an interview Monday on the French TV station TF1, Hollande suggested he may cancel his meeting with Putin, adding that Russia could face charges of war crimes for launching attacks on Aleppo. "These are people who today are the victims of war crimes. Those that commit these acts will have to face up to their responsibility, including in the [International Criminal Court]," Hollande said.

Tensions between the leaders initially spiked over the weekend, when Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution proposed by Spain and France. The resolution was "aimed at ending Syrian regime airstrikes on Aleppo and allowing humanitarian aid into the city," CNN reported.

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During his now-canceled France trip, Putin was slated to meet with Hollande and inaugurate a new Orthodox church.