UN Welcomes Russia's Position on Accepting 48-Hour Ceasefire in Aleppo

After Russia announced its support for a 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo, Stefan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria, welcomed this position and stated that operational teams are preparing to send humanitarian aid convoys to besieged areas. According to Reuters, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that it is ready to accept a 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to besieged regions. Western diplomats have cautiously welcomed Russia's stance, stating that the UN must take responsibility for the aid operations in these areas. De Mistura had previously called for a two-day ceasefire in Aleppo to allow humanitarian aid and essential food and medical supplies to reach the rebel-controlled areas in eastern Aleppo and the government-controlled areas in western Aleppo, as well as to evacuate the injured from these regions. On Thursday, de Mistura stated that the UN humanitarian coordination and assistance teams have begun their actions to address the upcoming challenges. The UN envoy emphasized that our plan is to collectively specify the details and be ready to send aid convoys as quickly as possible. De Mistura mentioned that Moscow must compel the Syrian government and its allied forces to adhere to the ceasefire regulations during the specified period, while the US and other influential countries must ensure that the rebel groups opposing Bashar al-Assad's government will respect the ceasefire. Meanwhile, a Western diplomat stated that the challenge ahead is how to deliver humanitarian aid to besieged areas and whether Russia will truly adhere to this ceasefire or use it to further its own objectives. The United Nations has recently warned of an unprecedented 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Aleppo and urged Russia and the US to reach a ceasefire agreement in the city as soon as possible. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, in his monthly report to the Security Council, which Reuters obtained a copy of on Tuesday, stated: 'We are on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo that is unprecedented in the five-year Syrian war.' The UN Secretary-General added: 'The battle for control of resources and territory has led to residential areas being indiscriminately targeted, including with incendiary and napalm bombs, resulting in the deaths of civilians and dozens of children.'