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Russia votes against unbalanced Syria resolution

Churkin recalled that Russia advanced several amendments to balance the draft

UNITED JNATIONS, February 17 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia voted against Syria resolution in the UN General Assembly on Thursday because it deems it unbalanced and targeted against only one side of the conflict, according to Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.

He described the Egyptian resolution on Syria as “a reflection of an alarming trend and attempts to isolate the Syrian leadership, reject any contacts with it, and impose a political settlement formula from the outside.”

“Violence in Syria shall be ceased by all parties and the necessary solutions shall be found only as a result of a political process guided by the Syrians and open for all,” Churkin told the General Assembly.

He recalled that Russia advanced several amendments to balance the draft. They “boiled down to non-conflict and reasonable demands to all opposition forces to distance themselves from armed groups engaged in violence while the groups shall cease attacks on residential areas and government offices. Government troops have also to stop shelling towns and withdraw from residential settlements,” Churkin said and regretted the amendments were ignored.

“In such conditions Russia had no other way than to vote against,” he said.

“Russia will continue efforts to promote a way out of the crisis in Syria and cooperate with everyone who makes the interests of the Syrian people, regional peace and security the cornerstone,” the ambassador said.