Russia’s offer to replace peacekeepers from Austria in the Golan Heights was not accepted by the United Nations on Friday.

The UN rejected the offer due to an agreement between Israel and Syria which bars permanent members of the Security Council from the UN observer mission, Reuters news agency reported.

“We appreciate the consideration that the Russian Federation has given to provide troops to the Golan,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters.

“However, the Disengagement Agreement and its protocol, which is between Syria and Israel, do not allow for the participation…