US calls UN Security Council for meet over Ukraine-Russian tension

The United States said it has called for an open meeting of the UN Security Council next Monday to address the crisis around Ukraine. In a statement, Washington's United Nations envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield said yesterday that more than 100,000 Russian troops are deployed on the Ukrainian border and Russia is posing a clear threat to international peace and security and the UN Charter.

She said, the 15-member Security Council must squarely examine the facts and consider what is at stake for Ukraine, Russia, and for Europe. Diplomats said, originally the United States had hoped to hold the Security Council meeting on Friday. But they have deferred it to Monday so as not to interfere with a scheduled phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin today.

However, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, Russia has veto power over any United Nations resolution brought to the council.