Washington, May 4 (RHC)-- U.S .Secretary of State John Kerry has warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of the consequences of a "new" U.S. approach if he does not accept a political transition in the next few months.  The warning came amid a surge in violence in the northern city of Aleppo, putting further strain on a February 27th ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States.

Kerry said he still hoped negotiations could restore the truce deal to include Aleppo, but warned that there would be "repercussions" -- hinting the use of military force by the United States -- if the Syrian government violated the agreement.

Washington's top diplomat said: "If Assad does not adhere to this, there will clearly be repercussions, and one of them may be the total destruction of the ceasefire and then go back to war."  He then added: "There may be even other repercussions being discussed; that is for the future."

John Kerry made the comments following a meeting between the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow on Tuesday, one day after emergency discussions with Kerry in Geneva.