Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Remarks by Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the open VTC of UNSC members on the situation in the Middle East (Syria)

Mr. President,

This is also not an explanation of vote, although I thought that the previous statement was partly an EoV. Our explanation of vote is enclosed with our voting letter that we sent to you, Mr. President.

Mr. President,

We also understand, like we said in our EoV, the need to continue cross-border [mechanism] in the northwest [of Syria]. For that purpose, we tried to explain during consultations how we see it continue. It did not work out and the resolution was not adopted. But we introduced our own text which we circulated recently and requested the Presidency to put it to vote. I hope that we can adopt it, and I would like to say again what I have been constantly saying myself and through our political coordinators. Cross-border in Idlib will remain, and will continue. So I do not think that we have to break lances over it. If the resolution is adopted, the cross-border [mechanism] will stay.

I thank you, Mr. President.