Nebenzia: Russia is preparing a new resolution on the delivery of aid to Syria

New York,(ST)- Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia has announced that Russia will introduce a new draft resolution to the International Security Council that aims to extend the cross-border aid deliveries mechanism in Syria for six months to replace the draft resolution which Russia along with China voted.

“Today we will present our decision to extend the mechanism for transferring the current aid for half a year, while limiting the number of crossings so that there will be one operating crossing,” Russia’s today website quoted Nebinzia as saying in a statement.

Russia and China last night used a veto against a draft resolution in the UN Security Council that exploits the humanitarian situation in Syria and violates its sovereignty and stipulates that the mechanism for transporting humanitarian aid be extended for a year across the border without the consent of the Syrian government.

“He added “Moscow is convinced that one crossing will be enough to transfer aid and to meet the needs of civilians there as the area which has remained under the control of terrorists in Idleb has shrunk,” Nebenzia said, calling on all parties concerned to contribute to the transfer of humanitarian aid to Syria and not to politicize this file.

Nebenzia recalled the Russian position, stating that this aid transfer mechanism was already temporary and it was time to finish its work due to the changes on the ground in Syria.

Russia voted in December last year against a similar draft resolution submitted by Germany, Belgium and Kuwait. Nebenzia, made clear at the time that his country voted against the draft resolution because it is unacceptable, stressing that it is not permissible to transfer humanitarian aid to Syria without the approval of the Syrian government.

It is noteworthy that the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2165, which authorized humanitarian convoys heading to Syria to cross the border, and its validity is extended every year, and this mechanism has remained in place since July 2014.

Haifaa Mafalani