Russia is preparing to veto a UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire and aid to Syria’s largest city Aleppo.
Moscow is under pressure from the US and European countries to accept the measures, but is unlikely to accept a provision for the suspension of military flights over Aleppo, which has been under intense bombing by Russian and regime warplanes since September 19.
Instead, after vetoing the Franco-Spanish resolution, Russia will submit an alternative focusing on the withdrawal of the jihadists of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham — formerly Jabhat al-Nusra — from the city.
There are few JFS/Nusra in Aleppo, as the faction pulled out of the city last year to avoid conflict with other rebel groups. However, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura gave an opening to the Russians on Thursday when he called on “about 900 former” JFS/Nusra fighters to leave with protection for opposition-held Idlib Province.
President Assad also took advantage to say in a televised interview that rebels could withdraw if they surrendered their arms.