Russia and China veto Security Council resolution enabling aid to Syria

Russia and China vetoed a Security Council resolution on Tuesday that would maintain cross border aid to Syria’s rebel-held northwest, in a move criticised as threatening millions of civilian lives. Russia instead proposed a resolution that would allow the delivery of aid through a single crossing point from Turkey for six months. Syria’s closest ally, Moscow argues that aid should be delivered via Damascus across conflict lines. China said it was in favour of maintaining cross border aid but opposed the resolution because its drafters Germany and Belgium failed to include a condemnation of unilateral US sanctions on Syria. The veto was the 15th Russia had used since the start of the Syrian war in 2011, and the ninth for China. A European diplomat told AFP the veto was an "extremely negative development". "They want to strangle the population even more," the diplomat said, speaking anonymously, adding that aid "cannot reach the population from one" crossing point.

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