US Warns Russia Not To Veto Syria Border Access

The Syria border crossing is due to close July 10 without UN authorisation for another year and Russia has not ruled out using its veto power to block an extension.

The United States warned Monday that Russia would put at risk hopes for more constructive relations if it uses its UN veto to shut the sole border crossing for aid into Syria. Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined Italy in leading talks in Rome of the US-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State group which discussed the Bab al-Hawa crossing into Syria from Turkey. Blinken told reporters it was crucial to work to "broadening cross-border assistance, which is essential in reaching millions of Syrians who are in dire need of food, medicine, Covid vaccines and other lifesaving aid". The crossing is due to close on July 10 without UN authorisation for another year and Russia -- which has already succeeded in reducing the border openings to one -- has not ruled out using its veto power to block an extension.