Explanation of vote by Chargé d'Affaires of the Russian Federation Dmitry Polyanskiy after UNSC vote on a draft resolution on renewal of the cross-border humanitarian mechanism for Syria proposed by the Russian Federation
Mr.President,
I will not take long, because the vote that we have just had was more eloquent than any words, especially those sly empty phrases that we heard from our Western colleagues today. Those who did not support our proposed draft resolution demonstrated their real attitude to the needs and aspirations of ordinary Syrians. You had an opportunity to have Syria’s CBM prolonged for one year in two subsequent stages, given an overall improvement of the mechanism of humanitarian deliveries to this country. In words, you have always advocated for improving the CBM, but when it came down to real action it turned out your rhetoric was all falsity and hypocrisy. Today you clearly proved that, having killed the CBM for good. I do not think anyone in Syria will suffer from that, whatever you may be saying. As for the terrorists who got entrenched in Idlib, you have got opportunities to provide for them anyway.
You had a choice, and you made your choice. This page of history has been turned over.
On our part, we will keep providing assistance to the brotherly Syrian people given full respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country.
Thank you.
