UN to Vote on Crimea Resolution as Ukraine Says it Repels Russian Forces

[steve2470]

http://www.voanews.com/content/un-to-vote-on-crimea-resolution/1871773.html

The U.N. Security Council will vote Saturday on a U.S.-drafted resolution urging countries not to recognize the results of an upcoming Crimean referendum.

The vote comes as Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported Saturday it had repelled Russian forces trying to move into an area of Ukraine that is parallel to the east of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

“Units of Ukraine's armed forces today...repelled an attempt by servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian Federation to enter the territory of Kherson region on Arbatskaya Strelka,” a ministry statement said. “This was repelled immediately." The statement was released by the Reuters news agency which reported that Ukraine used paratroops and and aircraft in the operation.

Sunday's referendum gives residents of Crimea only two choices: joining Russia or the significant strengthening of their autonomy within Ukraine. A vote in favor of joining Russia is widely seen as a forgone conclusion in the majority Russian-speaking region on the Black Sea, which has hosted czarist and Kremlin navies since the 18th century.

[TomClash]

1. So what?

Russia will veto and China will abstain.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Well there is that of course.

[RKP5637]

8. My hunch is Putin will still do what he damn well pleases, because I feel this is about

far more than Crimea. I think this is a test of resolve by other nations ... to test how far he can push as he formulates his agenda for the future of Russia.

[dipsydoodle]

2. The choices are win and win.

If Crimea which is one of , or possibly even the richest area , of Ukraine were to cease trade with Russia, Belarous and Kzakhstan it would be destroy their economic foundation and lead to mass unemployment.

[TomClash]

5. Brilliant strategy

Crimea is about to become part of Russia.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Not necessarily so.

.

[TomClash]

15. Why do you say that?

Do you think the people will vote to stay part of the Ukraine?

[dipsydoodle]

16. Might be an even mix

but if biased by the Tartars deciding they are going to blank the referendum then in that case the "go with Russia" contingent would take the day. I'd guess the worker in their industries would vote to go with Russia anyway : to keep their jobs.

Whatever.......I guess we'll know Monday morning. Its their choice and future - not mine.

[BeyondGeography]

4. Support a resolution where one side has troops crawling all over the place

while the other hides in fear.

Probably not the best precedent.

[steve2470]

6. live UN session here

http://webtv.un.org/

[Catherina]

9. Oh Gawd, and I was on my way out to get groceries

Now I'm stuck here lol. Thanks a lot steve2470.

Tuned in just in time too. China's up but there are no subtitles to translate!

[steve2470]

10. you're welcome hehe ! nt

[Catherina]

11. Just switched to CSPAN since they have translations

http://www.c-span.org/live/

China abstains....

You're funny but really thanks for the head's up

[steve2470]

12. on that page you can have translators

It says "Available languages" on the lower right hand corner of the video. I'm glad I was helpful

[Catherina]

13. Thank you! I never noticed that. Argentina up now

Thanks alot for that tip.

Argentina, peaceful solution...

Five Eyes Australia disturbed as usual now.... No surprise there.

[dipsydoodle]

14. Russia vetoed , China abstained

and Samantha Power made what she considered to be a profound remark.