Russia Says to Veto Aleppo Observers Move, Circulates Own U.N. Resolution

Russia on Sunday circulated a draft resolution to address the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo after warning it was prepared to veto a French-drafted text on deploying U.N. observers to the Syrian city, diplomats said.

The Russian proposal calls on the United Nations to make "arrangements" to "monitor the condition of civilians remaining in Aleppo" but does not mention the deployment of observers, according to the draft seen by AFP.

Moscow's envoy warned earlier in the day that his country is prepared to use its veto.

"We cannot allow it to pass because this is a disaster," Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters.

The U.N. Security Council was set to meet for closed-door consultations followed by a vote on the proposals.

France circulated a draft text late Friday stating that the council is "alarmed" by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Aleppo and by the fact that "tens of thousands of besieged Aleppo inhabitants" are in need of aid and evacuation.

Russia has vetoed six resolutions on Syria since the conflict began in March 2011.