Russia opposes UN ceasefire resolution on Syria

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 22: Russia on Thursday said it will not support a UN Security Council proposal calling for a one-month humanitarian ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta, Syria unless some changes are made. The Security Council convened earlier in the day to discuss the situation in Eastern Ghouta -- a suburb of Damascus under siege by forces of the Bashar al-Assad regime -- and submit a proposal. If the proposal is accepted, a ceasefire will be enforced within 72 hours, humanitarian aid convoys will be allowed access and medical evacuations will begin 48 hours later. Describing the proposal as "not realistic", Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, claimed that "thousands of terrorists" remain in Eastern Ghouta and its fight against terrorism would continue. "There is no agreement on the proposal," Nebenzia added. "We will submit some amendments." In response, U.S. Representative to the UN’s Economic and Social Council Kelley Currie accused Russia of blocking "any meaningful effort" to stop the bloodshed in Eastern Ghouta. (Footage by Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)