"Russian Veto Threatens Closure of Syria's Cross-Border Aid Lifeline"
Russia has vetoed the renewal of a United Nations humanitarian aid operation based in Turkey, signaling the end of the program that has been delivering aid to 4 million people in rebel-held northwest Syria since 2014. Russia's own proposal for a six-month extension was also rejected. The aid operation required authorization from the UN Security Council due to the Syrian government's refusal to agree to it on sovereignty grounds. The stalemate has drawn criticism from aid groups, while the US and other council members continue to push for the renewal of the operation.