Russia has taken the Syrian people hostage

Russia on Friday vetoed a proposal to extend the UN Security Council's approval to send UN aid to about 4 million people in northwestern Syria through the Turkish border.

The resolution, which was prepared by Ireland and Norway, received 13 votes in favor. And China abstained from this resolution. Any resolution in the UN Security Council requires nine votes in favor without a veto by Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, or France.

Linda Thomas Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told the council: "This is a matter of life and death, and tragically, people are losing their lives because of this vote by a country that shamelessly exercised its veto power. They will shake hands."

Russia's proposal to keep the Bab al-Hawa crossing open for only six months was vetoed by the United States, Britain, and France.

The crossing, the only remaining route for humanitarian aid into northwestern Syria, is set to close on Sunday unless a deal is reached.

Non-governmental organizations have warned that the closure of this route will put millions of Syrians at risk of starvation.

 

_{Source: The New Arab}