Russia will veto a UN Security Council resolution that would have authorised an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into atrocities committed by all sides in the Syrian conflict.
Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin told reporters on Wednesday that Russia would block the US and French-backed resolution, which he described as a "publicity stunt" that would be detrimental to "joint efforts in trying to resolve politically the crisis in Syria".
The veto will be considered as a major blow to international efforts towards accountability in Syria.
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