Russia vetoed extending review of Syrian chemical weapons use

Russia has vetoed an extension on the chemical weapons inquiry in Syria. China abstained, along with Kazakhstan, per the State Department. The report on who was behind the April attack in Syria is due in two days, and Russia's UN Ambassador said it wanted to discuss the report before voting on the extension. The inquiry is set to expire in November.

Why it matters: Russia has rejected a report from UN investigators who place the blame on Russia's ally Syria, and this is the ninth time Russia has blocked action against Syria, per the BBC. "Russia has once again demonstrated it will do whatever it takes to ensure the barbaric Assad regime never faces consequences for its continued use of chemicals as weapons," U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said while traveling through Africa, per Reuters.