Russia drafts UN Security Council resolution to push for Middle East ceasefire

At the UN headquarters, amidst escalating conflict in the Middle East, Russia has reportedly drafted a UN Security Council resolution to promote a ceasefire in the region. The draft resolution text condemns attacks against civilians and calls for all conflicting parties to return to the negotiating table, according to sources who spoke to RIA Novosti and provided the document, on Monday.

The UN Security Council “calls upon all parties to immediately cease their military activities and refrain from any further escalation in the Middle East,” according to the draft resolution text.

The draft acknowledges “the importance of ensuring the security of all states in the Middle East and surrounding areas” and calls upon “all relevant parties to return to negotiations without any delay and to utilise all political or diplomatic measures”.

Russia’s proposed UN Security Council resolution also expresses condolences to victims of the conflict and reaffirms the prohibition on the use of force that could affect the territorial integrity of any state.