Russia vetoes UN resolution on Crimea; China abstains

Russia has vetoed a UN resolution declaring tomorrow’s referendum on the future of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula illegal, but its close ally China abstained in a show of Moscow’s isolation.

Supporters of the US-sponsored resolution knew that Russia would use its veto. But they put the resolution to a vote this morning to show the strength of opposition to Moscow’s takeover of Crimea. The 13 other council members voted yes.