Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov assured Moscow is to block any future UN Security Council draft resolution that would impose more sanctions on Syria.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov assured Moscow is to block any future UN Security Council draft resolution that would impose more sanctions on Syria.
"The way it [the resolution] is drawn up, it is unacceptable to us and there is no doubt we will block it," Gatilov told Interfax on Wednesday.
Gatilov meanwhile, stressed that e terrorist threat is no less serious than the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Gatilov said that the draft resolution, which says sanctions will be imposed unless Damascus allows unrestricted access to aid delivery, is politically motivated and aims to prepare the grounds for military operations against Syria.
“It is politicized and its entire meaning and purpose is to lay groundwork for future military operations against the Syrian government in the case of non-fulfillment of certain demands to be made there [in the resolution]," he added.
Russia will submit a draft resolution on fighting terrorism in Syria to the UN Security Council shortly, the Russian diplomat said.
"Yes, I think [that will be done] imminently," he replied to an Interfax question whether Russia might submit such draft and when. The document "will above all urge everyone to take the necessary steps and to pool efforts in the deterrence of the terrorist threat coming from the territory of Syria," he continued.
Multiple terrorist organizations, among them Al Qaeda and affiliated groups, are operating in Syria, Gatilov said. "They create a real threat to the territorial integrity of the country and the region as a whole.