Russia derailed a U.N. meeting on a resolution that would threaten Syria with sanctions unless the government permits unrestricted deliveries of humanitarian aid.
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin and his Chinese counterpart were no-shows at a Monday meeting to discuss the draft Security Council resolution, which is backed by Western and Arab nations, The Associated Press reported.
Russia and China are both permanent members of the Security Council.
Churkin indicated that he could veto the resolution, dismissing it as a "political" measure introduced "to whip up political tensions around Syria."
"This text would not have any positive impact on the situation," Churkin said. "If anything, it would create disruption of humanitarian efforts."
The meeting came a day after an aid convoy was attacked while trying to reach the city of Homs, parts of which have been besieged for nearly two years. The U.N. said in a statement that 11 people were killed in the air raid.
More than 800 people have been evacuated from the city since an agreement was reached between the U.N. and the Syrian government last week.
The proposed Security Council resolution puts most of the blame for the humanitarian crisis in Syria on President Bashar Assad's government, The Associated Press reported.
Russia and China have already blocked three previous Western-backed resolutions that would have pressured Assad to end the war.
