02/05/2014 18:38
Russia demands Security Council meeting on Ukraine
Russia is calling for an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on the crisis in Ukraine, The Associated Press reported.
The Russian mission to the United Nations tweeted Friday morning that Russia has asked for the meeting today.
Tensions are high after pro-Russia forces shot down two Ukrainian helicopters Friday and Ukraine launched its first major offensive against an insurgency in the east against Kiev's interim government.
The spokesman's office for the U.N. secretary-general says it has not yet received the formal request.
At least two other U.N. missions, Luxembourg and Rwanda, have tweeted about Russia's request. Luxembourg says Russia wants the meeting to be open to the public.
The Security Council has met a dozen times so far on the Ukraine crisis.