EVERYONE knew it was coming. Russian officials had warned for weeks that they would veto a motion in the United Nations Security Council (pictured) to establish an international tribunal to try those responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine last year and killing its 298 passengers. (Investigations into the crash continue, but the most widely accepted theory blames a Russian-made BUK-1 anti-aircraft missile fired from territory held by pro-Russian rebels.) On Wednesday Russia made good on its threat: while 11 of the UNSC?s members voted for a tribunal and three countries (China, Venezuela and Angola) abstained, Russia voted no. Russia is a permanent member of the council, so its veto is final. For the coalition of five countries that proposed the tribunal?Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and the Netherlands, who had citizens on the plane, and Ukraine, where it was shot down?the question is how to achieve justice without the UNSC?s help.
Russia vetoes a tribunal and the Netherlands seeks a solution | The Economist