Iran Press/ Europe: Russia has blocked a United Nations Security Council statement on the humanitarian situation in Syria due to attempts to misrepresent the situation in Idlib, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Vladimir Safronkov told TASS on Friday.
Safronkov said: "We have not passed and blocked the press elements drafted by our humanitarian troika comprising Belgium, Germany and Kuwait, which were meant to misrepresent the situation in Idlib."
"Talks are ongoing with US counterparts via professional channels, both military and political," he assured answering TASS questions about the closed-door session of the UN Security Council on Syria.
The diplomat added: "People discuss the situation, so to speak, with facts and maps in hand. Therefore, ‘a virtual reality’ they claim there is no dialogue should not be created at the Security Council. Genuine behind-the-scenes diplomacy and practical work is going on, away from the cameras, newspapers and journalists."
"We emphasize that the political foundation for work on Syria should be the preservation of Syria’s sovereignty not on paper but in real life," he stressed.
The Russian diplomat added: "The [UN] Security Council will have to do lots to overcome conceptual gaps in the understanding of the situation."
On Friday, the UN Security Council held a closed-door extra session on the humanitarian situation in Syria requested by Germany, Belgium and Kuwait. In recent days, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christopher Burger and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt have all voiced their concerns over the situation in the region. 101/211/207
Read more:
Syrian army hit hard Nusra terrorists in Idlib
Russia warns against false flag chemical attack in Syria’s Idlib
