Russia has withdrawn a request for three warships to dock at the Spanish port of Ceuta for refuelling, the Spanish foreign ministry says.
It says the stopovers have therefore been cancelled.
Spain had been coming under pressure from Nato allies not to allow the refuelling of Russian warships bound for Syria.
A battle group has been sailing for the past week from Russia to the Mediterranean.
"Given the information which appeared on the possibility that these ships would participate in supporting military action in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested clarification from the embassy of the Russian Federation in Madrid," the foreign ministry said in a statement to the BBC.
It added that permission had been granted in September for three Russian ships to dock in Ceuta between 28 October and 2 November. It said such stops for Russian naval vessels had taken places for years in Spanish ports.
But since it requested the clarification, the ministry said, the Russian embassy in Madrid had said it was withdrawing its request.
The Russian embassy has confirmed the withdrawal, but has given no further details.
Nato had earlier expressed concern that the ships could be used to help bomb civilians in Aleppo, but said the final decision on resupply rested with Spain.
It says the stopovers have therefore been cancelled.
Spain had been coming under pressure from Nato allies not to allow the refuelling of Russian warships bound for Syria.
A battle group has been sailing for the past week from Russia to the Mediterranean.
"Given the information which appeared on the possibility that these ships would participate in supporting military action in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested clarification from the embassy of the Russian Federation in Madrid," the foreign ministry said in a statement to the BBC.
It added that permission had been granted in September for three Russian ships to dock in Ceuta between 28 October and 2 November. It said such stops for Russian naval vessels had taken places for years in Spanish ports.
But since it requested the clarification, the ministry said, the Russian embassy in Madrid had said it was withdrawing its request.
The Russian embassy has confirmed the withdrawal, but has given no further details.
Nato had earlier expressed concern that the ships could be used to help bomb civilians in Aleppo, but said the final decision on resupply rested with Spain.
BBC
26/10/16
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