Speaking in the wake of the UN Security Council meeting on Monday, Russia’s permanent ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said that Russia is ready to grant Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as Jabhat Al-Nusra, fighters in eastern Aleppo an opportunity to leave the city unharmed if the so-called moderate rebels agree to clearly distance themselves from the hardline Islamist group.

However, if they refuse to abandoned their positions in Aleppo, they should get ready to be wiped out, Churkin said.

“If they [‘moderate’ opposition] distance themselves, then we will offer Jabhat Al-Nusra two options to choose from: either they leave the city, and Steffan de Mistura, [UN special envoy for Syria], as you know, came out with a proposal regarding this some time ago, which has not been accepted by Jabhat Al-Nusra yet, or we will have to defeat them,” Churkin said, as cited by TASS.

The diplomat was referring to de Mistura’s earlier proposal to personally accompany some 900 Al-Nusra fighters that are estimated to still retain positions in the rebel-held eastern Aleppo, on their way out from the city to other parts of Syria.

If that scenario is implemented, it will mean the end of bloodshed in Aleppo on condition that all other armed groups representing “moderate” opposition enter into ceasefire agreements with the Syrian government following Al-Nusra’s exit, Churkin said.

Meanwhile, New Zealand submitted its draft resolution on Aleppo to the UN Security Council on Monday. The document calls for the immediate and co

Complete end of attacks that can affect civilian infrastructure or result in civilian casualties. It also stipulates 48-hour pauses in fighting to enable humanitarian aid deliveries and underscores the need to separate the opposition from UN-recognized terror groups in Aleppo, RT reported.

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