U.S. asks UN to condemn Russia's 'sham' referendums

STORY: The resolution, to be introduced jointly with Albania, will call on member states not to recognize any altered status of Ukraine and also obligate Russia to withdraw its troops, envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a council meeting.

"Russia’s sham referenda, if accepted, will open a pandora’s box that we cannot close," she said.

The United States is working quickly to introduce resolution, a U.S. official said, providing no details on when it would official.

Russia has the ability to veto a resolution, but Thomas-Greenfield said: "If Russia chooses to shield itself from accountability here in the Council, we will then look to the UN General Assembly to send an unmistakable message to Moscow."

The council, which has met over 20 times on Ukraine this year, has been unable to take meaningful action because Russia is a permanent veto-wielding member along with the United States, France, Britain and China.