Russia vetoes UN resolution on Crimea referendum

Russia on Saturday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that declares a planned referendum on the status of Ukraine's Crimea region "can have no validity" and urges nations and international organizations not to recognize it.

The Russian veto of the draft resolution, drawn up by the United States, was expected. Moscow, which has sent military forces to the Crimea, is backing Sunday's referendum, which would transfer control of the region from Ukraine to Russia. "This referendum can have no validity, and cannot form the basis for any alteration of the status of Crimea,"(Reuters)