UN extends humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria, ending U.S.-Russia conflict

• The council's mandate for the aid operation was set to expire Saturday, but on Friday morning, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the UN, proposed its renewal following discussions with U.S. counterpart, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
• The 15-member council then unanimously adopted the compromise, per Al Jazeera.

The big picture: President Biden had raised the importance of the aid-crossing operation when he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, Al Jazeera reports. The Biden administration warned that Russia could stop expecting cooperation from the U.S. on Syria if the deliveries stopped.

• When Biden spoke with Putin on Friday, they "commended the joint work of their respective teams," according to a White House statement.

What they're saying: "I certainly see it as an important moment in [the U.S.-Russia] relationship," Thomas-Greenfield said, per CNN.

• "And it shows what we can do with the Russians if we work with them diplomatically on common goals," she added.
• She said she was looking forward to more "opportunities to work with the Russians on issues of common interest to our two governments."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the vote will allow for the border to remain open for a minimum of 12 months, per a U.S. Mission to the United Nations spokesperson.