Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, described the adoption of the joint Russian-American resolution on cross-border aid for Syria by the UN Security Council as an “historic moment.” According to Nebenzia, Russia outlined its red lines during consultations on the document and secured provisions in the final document that had been lacking in the original draft. He stressed the importance of the fact that the resolution was a compromise.
“This is a historic moment. For the first time Russia and the United States not only could agree, but elaborate a consolidated draft resolution that found support with all our colleagues in the Council. Hopefully, this kind of scenario will be a turning point that not only Syria and the Middle East, but the entire world will benefit from,” he concluded in his statement.
Nebenzia stated that, for the first time, the resolution emphasizes the development of shipments across the contact line, that is, from inside Syria via Damascus. “Thus UNSC members gave the green light to having the CBM gradually supplemented, and then substituted by cross-line humanitarian deliveries.” he underscored. The cross-border aid mechanism will be closely supervised, and the UN Secretary General will report to the Security Council about its operation in six months.
