The U.N. Security Council is due to meet in public on Monday, at the request of the United States, to discuss Russia's troop build-up on the border with Ukraine as international diplomacy aimed at easing tensions moves to the world body in New York.
The United States describes the meeting of the 15-member body as a chance for Russia to explain itself, while Russia signaled it could try and block it. Nine votes are needed for the meeting to proceed and Washington is "confident" it has sufficient support.
But aside from all members having the opportunity to air their views openly, there will be no action by the council — even if Russia were to invade Ukraine. A simple statement needs consensus support and Russia could veto any bid for a resolution.