Russia will not support a European-drafted UN resolution on Syria, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, calling the draft "unacceptable" but not revealing whether Moscow would veto it.
Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told Interfax that Russia refused to back the text because it opened the door for punitive sanctions against Syria.
"We cannot support such a text," Gatilov said. "It is unacceptable because it includes the possibility of imposing sanctions against Syria."
In Paris, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said a compromise reached late Monday on a resolution had now broken down, with Moscow vowing to deploy its veto.
The 15-nation UN Security Council was to vote later Tuesday on the resolution condemning Syrian President Bashar Assad's six-month-old crackdown on protesters demanding an end to his 11-year rule.
(Reuters)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
