Remarks by Ambassador Vassily A. Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, following UNSC meeting on the situation in Raqqa and Rukban
Q.: How can you comment on the Draft Resolution that was put forward by the United States, Britain and France?
A.: I said that at first glance: “Untimely, unnecessary”.
Q.: So, you see this going nowhere.
A.: Look, on Friday they arrange an act of aggression against Syria and on Saturday they come with the political resolution. Don’t you think it is funny?
Q.: Are your participating in negotiations on the draft…
A.: We were participating on the first round just to hear. But we said really that this effort now isn’t timely. Now they are saying that we are not pressing you, we will be discussing. But still it doesn’t change anything. We have it all in the resolutions that already exist. We have political resolution, we have a number of humanitarian ones, including 2401. And with the attributive mechanism they are pressing for. They attributed the guilt and they have already punished the culprits. So they don’t need any attributive mechanism any more.
Q.: So, after today and this humanitarian briefing… what is going to happen with the Council trying to move ahead, doing something to try to end the Syrian conflict?
A.: They should implement 2254, other UN resolutions and the resolutions on Syria in the earnest and not to pretend doing it.
Q.: Do you think this retreat in Sweden is to solve anything?
A.: That is a good question. Can I answer it when I return back?
