Russia set to veto UN resolution to stop Aleppo bombing
Russia is expected to use its veto Saturday to block a United Nations draft resolution
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) - Russia is expected to use its veto Saturday to block a United Nations draft resolution calling for an end to the bombing of Aleppo and a halt to all military flights over the Syrian city.
The UN Security Council will vote on the French-drafted measure after a week of negotiations failed to yield agreement on halting the Russian and Syrian air strikes in Syria s second city.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Friday that the draft resolution was "hastily put together" and suggested it was "not designed to make progress... but to cause a Russian veto."
"I cannot possibly see how we can let this resolution pass," he told reporters when asked whether he would resort to the veto as one of the council s five permanent members.
The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 1900 GMT.
Council members have been holding negotiations for the past week on the draft resolution, which calls for an end to the bombing of Aleppo, access for aid deliveries and barring warplanes from flying over the city.
French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the resolution has "very strong support" within the 15-member council and that "there was no time to waste" to address the unfolding disaster in Aleppo.
At least 250,000 people are living under siege in rebel-held east Aleppo, and facing almost-daily heavy bombing since the Russian-backed Syrian army launched an offensive to retake the city last month.
The decision to move to a vote followed days of shuttle diplomacy by French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who traveled to Moscow and Washington to secure agreement on the draft resolution.
Ayrault, who will attend the council meeting on Saturday, said the vote will be a "moment of truth for all the members of the Security Council."
"Do you want a ceasefire in Aleppo, yes or no? And the question is in particular for our Russian partner," the foreign minister said in Washington.
The Russian veto could signal the beginning of a new tougher line on Russia from the western powers.
The United States and its allies are considering fresh sanctions against Russia, which is already facing punitive measures over its actions in Ukraine.
The United States on Friday called for Russia and Syria to be investigated for war crimes for the bombing of hospitals.
"Russia and the regime owe the world more than an explanation about why they keep hitting hospitals and medical facilities, children and women," US Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Now in its sixth year with more than 300,000 dead, the war in Syria has raged on as the Security Council has been divided between Russia, which backs President Bashar al-Assad, and western powers supporting opposition rebels.
The council on Friday met in emergency session at Russia s request to hear UN envoy Staffan de Mistura outline a plan to allow jihadist fighters to leave Aleppo.
Churkin said the proposals contained some "good important ideas" and suggested that the council should discuss his plan instead of the French draft resolution.
Delattre, however, said the proposals would only work if there is a ceasefire.
"The top priority is to stop the bloodbath in Aleppo," Delattre said.
