(VOVworld) - Russia opposed a French proposal to limit the use of the veto at the UN Security Council, describing it as unrealistic and populist, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Wednesday.

Vitaly Churkin, Russian Ambassador to the UN, speaks during a Security Council meeting at the UN Headquarters, July 29, 2015 (AFP Photo/Kena Betancur)

It was the first time Russia had openly opposed the restriction of the veto use. France has launched an initiative to persuade the other four Security Council permanent members -- Britain, China, Russia and the US -- to refrain from using their veto when an action is required to address a mass atrocity.

Churkin argued that declaring that mass atrocities have occurred could become a political tool and raised questions about who would be empowered to make that determination. The proposal has become a center of attention when China and Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that asked the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes in Syria.

France's idea has been welcomed by some 70 non-veto wielding member-states at the UN. France will host a meeting on September 30 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session to discuss its proposal.