Russia vetoes US-endorsed UN resolution on Crimea
Iran Press TV
Sat Mar 15, 2014 6:4PM GMT
Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council's resolution, endorsed by the US, to declare a planned referendum on the status of Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea "illegal."
The resolution received 13 votes in the 15-member council. This is while, China abstained on the resolution. The brief resolution read that the Ukrainian government in Kiev does not support the referendum.
'This referendum can have no validity, and cannot form the basis for any alteration of the status of Crimea,' it stated while calling on 'all states, international organizations and specialized agencies not to recognize any alteration of the status of Crimea on the basis of this referendum.'
Russia's veto came as the Security Council has held six prior meetings on Ukraine in less than two weeks. However, it has been unable to take any move due to Russia's veto power.
Moscow, which has deployed military forces to Crimea, is backing Sunday referendum, which would transfer control of the region from Ukraine to Russia.
Pro-Russian population of Crimea is seeking to break away from Ukraine, which is now controlled by pro-Western authorities, and join neighboring Russia.
Tensions have been running high in Ukraine since ousted president, Viktor Yanukovych, left the country following violent clashes between police and pro-Western protesters in Kiev, which were fueled by messages of support from the US and certain European Union governments
Pro-Western activists launched their protests in November after Yanukovych decided to reject a deal with the European Union in favour of closer relations with the Russian Federation.
MOL/AB/SS
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