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Russia vetoes UN resolution on Crimea; China abstains
[DAWN] Russia vetoed a Western-backed resolution condemning the Crimea referendum at a UN Security Council emergency vote Saturday, but China abstained, isolating Moscow further on the Ukraine crisis.The draft resolution, which says Sunday's referendum would have no validity, got 13 votes in the 15-member council. But it was rejected when permanent member Russia exercised its veto. The resolution declares that the referendum on whether the semi-autonomous region should come under Kremlin rule "cannot form the basis for any alteration of the status of Crimea." China often backs Russia at the council, especially on Syria-related votes, and Western powers presented its abstention as the best possible outcome from the seventh UN emergency session since the crisis began. "Russia, isolated, alone and wrong, blocked the resolution's passage," US ambassador Samantha Power told the council. "This is a sad and remarkable moment." Posted by: Fred 2014-03-16 |
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