US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said today that she plans to meet with her Russian counterpart to start possible difficult talks on humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey, but will not let Moscow use the issue. this as a “negotiating paper” for Ukraine.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Greenfield has had little contact with Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia outside the meetings of the 15-member UN Security Council.
“After the (invasion) in Ukraine we did not have regular meetings, but it is my intention – when I return to New York – to meet with him on Syria,” he told reporters as he returned to the United States from Turkey, where he visited border with Syria to evaluate a long-term humanitarian aid operation.
The Security Council mandate to allow cross-border deliveries is due to expire on 10 July. However, Syria’s ally Russia has spoken out against the resumption of hostilities, saying it violates Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that more aid should be provided from within the country.
Already high tensions between the United States and Russia have worsened in recent months. Washington has responded to Russia’s war in Ukraine with harsh unilateral sanctions against Moscow, sent weapons to Ukraine and isolated Russia internationally at the United Nations.
“We will not allow the situation in Ukraine or the situation in Syria to be used as a bargaining chip for the Russians,” the US ambassador to the United Nations warned ahead of Security Council talks on the aid operation in Syria.
A Security Council resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes from Russia, China, the United States, France or Britain to pass it.
Over the past decade, the SA has been divided over Syria, with Russia vetoing more than a dozen Syrian-related resolutions and backed by China in many of those votes.
“A huge operation is underway and it would be so tragic, so catastrophic, if this Security Council resolution is not renewed,” Mark Kutz, the UN’s deputy regional humanitarian co-ordinator, said today during a visit to Greenfield. of the UN in Turkey, on the border with Syria.
Every month, about 800 trucks deliver humanitarian aid to more than 4 million people in northwestern Syria.
“Every truck is monitored by the UN,” Kutz said. “Without the involvement of the UN we are afraid that donors will not have the same confidence to support this operation, we may see a much greater diversion of aid.”
SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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