Green light from Russia to help Syria through Turkey

Russia has signaled at the United Nations Security Council that it could allow humanitarian aid to continue for another six months, across the Turkish border, to the nearly 4 million people in northwestern Syria.

The UN Security Council will vote to extend the resolution on Monday, a day before the current resolution expires. For this resolution to pass, nine votes in favor and Russia, China, Great Britain, France or the United States must not veto the resolution.

The permission of the 15-member UN Security Council is required, as the Syrian authorities have not accepted the delivery of humanitarian aid, such as food, medicine and shelter, to opposition-held areas in Syria since 2014. Diplomats briefed on the matter said Security Council members last week unofficially approved the resolution to extend humanitarian aid for another six months, prepared and negotiated by Ireland and Norway. (Reuters)