MOSCOW, May 23. /ITAR-TASS/. Moscow will continue resolute efforts for the resumption of inter-Syrian negotiations based on the Geneva Communique and the corresponding resolution of the UN Security Council, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday, commenting on the vote that the UN Security Council had on Thursday on the French draft resolution, envisaging the referral of the Syrian situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Russia and China opposed it, as a result of which the French draft resolution was not adopted.

“We regret that, despite our numerous warnings, the French put their document to the vote,” the ministry stressed. “The Russian side from the very start had warned that it is unacceptable for us in its current form, because it has the goal of exerting the exclusively unilateral influence on the Syrian government through the employment of the ICC mechanisms according to Chapter VII of the UN Charter," the ministry added.

 

Russia's Ambassador to the UN criticizes the resolution

Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin on Thursday criticized a rejected draft resolution of the UN Security Council on Syria.

“We only see the draft resolution rejected today as an attempt to use the International Criminal Court to further fuel political tensions, and ultimately for external military intervention,” Churkin said after the vote in the Security Council.

The diplomat said that “the stake on the military change of regime in Syria at any cost became the original cause for protraction of the crisis, and it undermines the Geneva talks”.

The Russian ambassador warned that the decision to put a one-sided draft to vote did harmthe unity of five permanent members of the Security Council - Russia, China, the United Kingdom, the United States and France.

“It can’t but be noted that harm has been done to the unity of the five countries at a very responsible moment in efforts on political settlement in Syria,” Churkin said.

He said the pause in intra-Syrian talks, caused by joint UN and Arab League special envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi’s planned resignation in late May “should be used for deep, honest and joint analysis of the situation, for a search for any possible reserves with the aim of breaking the vicious circle of violence”.