Veto of UN resolution: Russia blocks further UN aid for Syria

There is only one border crossing through which the UN can deliver aid to Syria.

Veto of UN resolution: Russia blocks further UN aid for Syria

There is only one border crossing through which the UN can deliver aid to Syria. Soon even that may no longer be possible. Russia is refusing to extend the aid transports because the Assad regime has not given permission.

With its veto in the UN Security Council, Russia prevented a resolution to extend international aid deliveries to Syria by one year. 13 of the 15 members of the UN Security Council voted in favor of a corresponding proposal by Norway and Ireland on Friday, Russia voted against, and China abstained. There is still time until Sunday to find a compromise.

At stake is the closure of the last remaining border crossing to Syria, through which aid supplies from the UN reach the crisis country, the Turkish-Syrian border post Bab al-Hawa. Last year, almost 10,000 trucks carrying humanitarian aid for more than 2.4 million people made their way to the Idlib region, the last rebel stronghold in Syria.

Moscow denounces these aid deliveries as a violation of Syria's sovereignty because the government of ruler Bashar al-Assad in Damascus did not give the green light for it. Nevertheless, Russia submitted an alternative resolution text that provides for an extension of aid via Bab al-Hawa by an initial period of six months. However, this failed due to the veto of the USA, France and Great Britain. The non-permanent Security Council members abstained, China voted with Russia.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed regret for Russia's stance. Six months are not enough to ensure serious help for the population, "a clear timetable" is necessary. "Tragically, people will die because of this vote," added the US ambassador, referring to Russia's voting behavior.

The text presented by Norway and Ireland was also already an "extreme compromise". He had provided for a six-month extension and then a further six-month extension "unless the Council decides otherwise". The current mandate expires on Sunday.