(VOVWORLD) – The UN Security Council has agreed to extend a cross-border aid operation into Syria from Turkey that ensures UN aid access to millions of Syrians for 12 months.

The council on Friday reached the agreement to extend activity at the only border crossing through which humanitarian aid reaches the rebel-held region of northwest Syria after Russia agreed to a compromise in last-minute talks with the United States.

The council mandate for the long-running aid operation was due to expire on Saturday. After not engaging in weeks of discussion on a resolution drafted by Ireland and Norway, Russia on Thursday proposed a 6-month renewal.

Following the US-Russia talks on Friday morning, the 15-member Security Council approved an extension of the resolution for 12 months instead of 6 months.

Source: VOV5