Russia vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that declared a planned referendum on the status of Ukraine’s Crimea region “can have no validity” and urged nations and international organisations not to recognise it. “This is a sad and remarkable moment,” Samantha Power, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said after the vote by the 15-member Security Council.
The Russian veto of the draft resolution, drawn up by the United States, was expected. Moscow, which has sent military forces to Crimea, is backing Sunday’s referendum, which would transfer control of the region from Ukraine to Russia.
Thirteen countries voted in favour, Russia against and China abstained. Russia and China are among the Security Council’s five permanent, veto-holding members.
