Russia announced it would veto the current text because it contains "one-sided accusations" against President Bashar Assad's government, though Russia and its Security Council ally China said they are prepared to negotiate on a new draft if such a move could boost aid access.

Since receiving the draft resolution on Thursday, Moscow has been outspoken in its opposition. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described it as "detached from reality," while U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin dismissed it as a "non-starter."

On Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov added to Moscow's argument: "Its whole purpose and aim is to create grounds for future military action against the Syrian government if some demands it includes are not met."

"It is unacceptable to us in the form in which it is now being prepared, and we, of course, will not let it through," said Gatilov, according to state-run news agency RIA.

Diplomats said Russia presented amendments to the draft at a meeting on Wednesday of the permanent council members, known as the "P5."

"The P5 ambassadors will meet on (Thursday) to merge the texts," a council diplomat said on condition of anonymity. "We're all working on a draft and that's good."

NJF/NJF