Russian UN draft on Ukraine criticized

Russian UN draft on Ukraine criticized

NEW YORK -- A Russian draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and a humanitarian corridor met with criticism from the West, AFP reported.

The draft has also had "cool response at the Security Council on Monday," the French agency said.

Russia submitted the document at the start of its presidency of the council "as Western powers want to enforce humanitarian corridors in Syria - a prospect blocked by Russia."

The draft calls for an immediate end of hostilities and appeals on those taking part in the fighting to commit themselves to a sustainable ceasefire. The document also calls for creation of humanitarian corridors so that civilians could safely leave the area of hostilities, and to enable humanitarian supplies.

The U.S. State Department said it was "hypocritical" given that Russia was doing "nothing" to stop Russian-backed separatists from attacking new targets and holding OSCE monitors hostage, AFP said.

British ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told reporters after the closed consultations that there was "little support for the text of the resolution as it stands."

"No one is under food shortages, there's no besieging of cities so it's not quite clear what the scale or crisis is that would justify humanitarian corridors," he said.

Moscow has four times vetoed Western resolutions on Syria, and Lithuanian Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaite told reporters, "Certainly, after resistance to any sensible action on humanitarian issues in Syria, to propose something on Ukraine is a little bit ironic to say the least."

"We don't need a draft resolution. The only thing they can do is basically disown the rebels, stop...

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