Russia accuses West of 'double standards' over Madaya outcry
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Russia criticized the United States, United Kingdom and France for convening a UN meeting to discuss the siege of Madaya, saying the gathering amounted to “unnecessary noise.”
Russia's deputy ambassador Vladimir Safronkov also accused the Western powers meeting at the UN Security Council of "double standards."
He said the meeting "gives the impression" that "attempts are being made to undermine the launch of the inter-Syrian dialogue scheduled for January 25."
"As the date for launch draws closer there is all this unnecessary noise," he said, according to AP.
He went on to claim that Moscow is presently engaging "the relevant Syrian authorities, prompting them toward constructive cooperation with the United Nations."
Moscow's ally in Syria, the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, has been besieging the town of Madaya.
The siege resulted in a humanitarian crisis where a reported 23 people starved to death. Syria has agreed to let humanitarian convoys to the town to alleviate the risk of the civilian population starving to death.
Russia is critical of the condemnations over Madaya because it says Western powers have failed to demonstrate equal compassion to the plight of civilians trapped by Islamists in two Shiite-majority pro-Assad towns, Fuah and Kafriya. Those towns in Idlib province are also being sent humanitarian aid.
Russia's deputy ambassador Vladimir Safronkov also accused the Western powers meeting at the UN Security Council of "double standards."
He said the meeting "gives the impression" that "attempts are being made to undermine the launch of the inter-Syrian dialogue scheduled for January 25."
"As the date for launch draws closer there is all this unnecessary noise," he said, according to AP.
He went on to claim that Moscow is presently engaging "the relevant Syrian authorities, prompting them toward constructive cooperation with the United Nations."
Moscow's ally in Syria, the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, has been besieging the town of Madaya.
The siege resulted in a humanitarian crisis where a reported 23 people starved to death. Syria has agreed to let humanitarian convoys to the town to alleviate the risk of the civilian population starving to death.
Russia is critical of the condemnations over Madaya because it says Western powers have failed to demonstrate equal compassion to the plight of civilians trapped by Islamists in two Shiite-majority pro-Assad towns, Fuah and Kafriya. Those towns in Idlib province are also being sent humanitarian aid.