Russia Vetoes UN Resolution on New Syria Chemical Weapons Probe

Russia has vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at renewing a U.N. investigative mission into the use of chemical weapons in Syria put forth by the United States.

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Eleven members of the body voted in favor of the document, while Bolivia and Russia voted against it, and China and Kazakhstan abstained.

Russia had earlier asked that the discussion be postponed until a report was delivered by the U.N. and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons joint mission, but it was rejected by the council, as the United States demanded the vote take place regardless.

The mission's report regarding the alleged April 4 chemical weapon attack in Khan Sheikhun is due later this week, as the current mission in Syria is set to end on Nov. 17.

Russia's Ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzia said, “Don’t try to create the impression that the (mission) will be a dead letter unless we adopt this resolution today ... We are ready to return to extending the commission after the publication of the report and after we discuss it after Oct. 26.”