Theresa May heaps pressure on Vladimir Putin to allow aid convoys into besieged Syrian city of Aleppo
The PM begged the Russian president to act to stop an impending catastrophe
DOWNING Street tonight accused Russia of blocking aid convoys from the besieged “graveyard” of Aleppo.
Theresa May and other Western powers heaped pressure on President Vladimir Putin to act to stop an impending catastrophe.
A UN chief has warned the Syrian city risks becoming a “giant graveyard” as 200,000 are trapped in the face of an Assad regime onslaught to finally take it from rebels after five years of bitter fighting.
Britain was joined by France in a fresh bid to enforce a ceasefire.
The allies want to push the peace bid to a vote at the UN Security Council and dare Russia to veto it.
Ratcheting up the rhetoric, the PM’s official spokeswoman said: “The Syrian regime backed by Russia are not agreeing to a halt of hostilities so that you can get aid in, so by that they are stopping it.
“Russia also vetoed a resolution that called for aid to be brought into Aleppo and to end the bombardment.”
Earlier, Mrs May told MPs that Aleppo was turning into “a horrific situation”.
The PM added during PMQs: “The Security Council debate is very important and there is an important message to send to Russia.
“They must use their influence with the Assad regime to stop these appalling atrocities in Aleppo and let humanitarian aid through.”
It also emerged refugee columns were shelled by Syrian Army troops, leaving 45 of them dead.
UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs Stephen O’Brien said: “For the sake of humanity we call on - we plead - with the parties and those with influence to do everything in their power to protect civilians and enable access to the besieged part of eastern Aleppo before it becomes one giant graveyard.”