Russia and China cast vetoes on Tuesday to block the U.N. Security Council from extending its approval of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey for a year, despite U.N. warnings that the lives of Syrian civilians depend on the cross-border access.
The more than six-year long operation is currently authorized until Friday, so another draft resolution could still be put forward. The remaining 13 members of the council voted in favor of the draft resolution on Tuesday.
Diplomats said Syrian allies Russia and China only want to approve one Turkish crossing for aid access for six months.