U.S. proposals conveyed by Kerry can help efficiently resolve Aleppo situation - Churkin
UNITED NATIONS (New York). Dec 6 (Interfax) - The latest U.S. proposals concerning the settlement of the Aleppo situation, which U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry conveyed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the meeting in Rome, have a chance of success, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said.
"I will tell you what Russia is pushing for. Russia is pushing for a decision, including a decision of the Security Council, that will have a chance of success," he said at a meeting of the UN Security Council following a vote on a draft resolution on the Aleppo humanitarian situation.
Russia and China used their veto right to block a new resolution of the UN Security Council declaring a seven-day humanitarian pause in Aleppo.
"The initiative discussed by [Russian Foreign Minister Sergei] Lavrov and [U.S. Secretary of State John] Kerry two days ago has a chance of success, as it can efficiently put an end to the Aleppo tragedy that has been on for several years both in Eastern Aleppo and in Western Aleppo, which are a single large war zone," Churkin said.
"Judging by her [the U.S. envoy's] speech, the U.S. mission to the United Nations is trying to disavow the state secretary's initiative. Hopefully, the state secretary will be able to reiterate the initiative," the Russian envoy said, adding that "in that case Russia can ensure a truly efficient and lasting solution."
The Russian foreign minister said on December 3 that the U.S. secretary of state conveyed new U.S. ideas on the Aleppo settlement to him at the meeting in Rome. According to Lavrov, those proposals were "in the same vein" as the Russian approach to the problem.
The U.S. proposed coordination of the time and routes of militants' withdrawal from Aleppo.