The UN Security Council will vote on Saturday on a resolution that would endorse the cease-fire agreement in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey, and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional Government.
The resolution also calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country. And it looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian Government and opposition in Kazakhstan's capital Astana "as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations."
Russia and Turkey are on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict: Moscow along with Iran provides crucial military support to Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has long served as a rear base and source of supplies for the rebels.
Divisions in the Security Council between Russia and the veto-wielding Western powers, the US, Britain and France who support the moderate opposition and demand that Assad steps down, have blocked action to end the war, now in its sixth year.
Russia and Turkey sent the cease-fire agreement and the draft resolution to Security Council members Thursday night.
After closed discussions in the council today morning, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin circulated a revised draft, urged council members to support it, and called for a vote on Saturday.
The Security Council needs to participate "in this important process," Churkin said.