Russia has a long-standing history of vetoing resolutions related to Syria to protect the government of Bashar al-Assad . As a permanent member of the UNSC, Russia has used its veto power over 15 times since the Syrian civil war began in 2011 to block measures ranging from humanitarian aid access to chemical weapons investigations. Common Themes in Vetoed Resolutions
: Russia has frequently vetoed the renewal of the "cross-border" mechanism, which allowed the UN to deliver aid from Turkey into rebel-held parts of Syria without the Syrian government's consent (e.g., the Bab al-Hawa crossing). Russia vetoes UN Syrian resolution
: Moscow frequently claims Western-led resolutions are "ultimatums" designed to force regime change rather than achieve a peaceful settlement. Russia has a long-standing history of vetoing resolutions
: Proposals for immediate cessations of hostilities, particularly during major military offensives like the 2016 siege of Aleppo , were blocked by Russia on the grounds that they were "unbalanced" or failed to address "armed groups". Russia's Official Justification the Bab al-Hawa crossing).