Russia vetos, China abstains on UN resolution on Crimea

UN Security Council members vote on a resolution on Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters in New York on March 15, 2014. Russia vetoed a Western-backed resolution condemning the Crimea referendum at a UN Security Council emergency vote 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. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand

UNITED NATIONS – 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.

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