Russia and China vetoed a new U.N. Security Council resolution Thursday that would have imposed new sanctions on the Syrian regime.
Western countries have been pushing for a resolution that threatens sanctions against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad if government forces don't stop attacks.
However, Russia has opposed any international effort that would blame, punish or change the leadership of the Syrian government. Russia and China have vetoed two previous draft resolutions in the U.N. Security Council, leading to accusations that Russia is protecting the Syrian regime.
The resolution also calls for renewing the 300-member U.N. observer mission for 45 days after it was suspended because of violence.
Russia has put forward its own draft, which "strongly urges all parties in Syria to cease immediately all armed violence in all its forms."
U.S. President Barack Obama called his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to discuss the Syrian situation, the White House said in a statement Wednesday.
"They noted the differences our governments have had on Syria, but agreed to have their teams continue to work toward a solution," it said.
FULL STORY
To be frank, both sides are playing their ego games. If the other members of the security council are so concerned about the massacres, shouldn't the sanctions be imposed on all armed groups creating havoc in the country, instead of just one side. If anyone thinks the rebels are fighting for freedom as understood by the West, they are seriously deluded. The rebels are as cold-blooded as Al-Assad is and will kill anyone that comes their way to gain power. The economic sanctions should be blanket, across all fighting groups and humanitarian aid should be extended to the affected civilians as well as rebels, else the slogan of Syrian freedom will be as hollow as Russia's promise of co-operation to end the civil war.
Terribly naive! The opposition was once just poster-waving peaceful democratic protestors until they were fired upon repeatedly at successive events. There is a reason that we don't know much about what is really going on. A DICTATOR RUNS THE COUNTRY. INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO THIS DICTATOR CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT. WHAT PART OF THAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?
Don't expect Vlad Raz_Putin to sign on to this anytime soon.
This is what happens when you borrow over a trillion dollars from the Chinese to finance our way of life so we can buy all our manufactured goods from them and drive to Walmart and pick them up... America is broke only in the sense that we have created an free for all economic system wherein a Presidential candidate and his super rich cronies can stash billions away in offshore bank accounts, pay little to no taxes and export our jobs without any sense of moral responsibility...there is no free lunch...not unless you are a member of the Rich & Shameless Club or want to be...
I hope Republicans will think twice when their nationalism starts itching and they want to start a preemptive war in Iraq. Maybe this time they will consider the lives and money that will need to be spent.
Good...people don't realize that when you impose sanctions, its not the government officials who suffer, but the innocent citizens who need the work
The UN has no teeth and is a joke.
Its headquarters should be moved to Switzerland so the US can stop funding a large portion of the operational / administrative costs.
Who cares
They're just like the Republicans, veto everything that is right or makes sense!
Thats really dumb.
Its time for American politicians to mind they`re own business and get they`re heads out of Israels @$$!
After all the times the US has misused its UN veto to protect Apartheid Israel's occupation and slaughtering of civilians in Palestine and Lebanon, perhaps China and Russia are giving the west a little payback. What business does the UN have in interfering in the affairs of sovereign states in the first place? If so, then why has the UN not intervened in the Occupy movement(s)... are they waiting for even more people to die? .
we must stop buying items from russia and china as much as possible. if they do not wish to be part of the civilized world, they must not benafit financially from it. since our government and the u.n. are toothless, it is up to the consumers who can m,ake the change. just buy american where possible
what happens when Syria decides to use and sell there chemical weapons. What choice does that leave the world. What happens when Russia and China threaten war over US , Israel and the western worlds. What happens when Israel attacks Iran. What does Obama decide when Israel stands on the edge of defeat and/or Annilation. Answers to these questions are crucial when deciding what will come of Humanity. WW3 is comming and the comming months are the catalyist to a Nuclear War
Ianeclin – I reckon you just about summed it up. Excellent post. I hope others take note of what you say.
Thank you Nostradamus...
Russia and China have their own agendas with Syria's current diplomats hence the reason for the votes, it's all a political game. Russia / China wouldn't dear enter war with the US since they are both very reliant especially China. It's sad what's happening in Syria but blame the powers that be for not allowing any US intervention for the massacre that's occurring.
I don't blame them,they are of the same kind. Both Russia and China are afraid the same thing on their lands !
super sam – In one way you're roght but to me it's more worrying that the World power is shifting from the US and West.
When you consider that they are fighting a dictator who doesn't allow international journalists, rebel doesn't sound so bad.
In the midnight hour, she cried “more, more, more”
With a rebel yell she cried “more, more, more”
In the midnight hour babe “more, more, more”
With a rebel yell “more, more, more”
When is the USA going to figure out that the United Nations is NOT in the best interest of the world and kick it the heck out of this country and stop asking for permission. I'm tired of u picking up the bills fr this backward thinking group of do nothings.
stevem7 – I think we've all got to realise that the world power base is shifting from the USA and West to China, Russia and the East.
This is not asnipe at America; it seems to be a fact and I REALLY don't like the trend. It bodes no goog.
they veto because same thing is facing them in the future...
Well said. Russia and China will both face civil revolt in the future as their people gain more wealth and the ability to stand up for themselves. For China it likely will occur when the government fails to provide the constant economic growth it is now and the nation faces its first economic depression.