The UN Security Council will today vote on an Australia-proposed resolution demanding international access to the Ukraine plane crash site and a cease-fire around the area, with diplomats pressuring a reluctant Russia to approve it.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his country would view a Russian veto of the resolution "very badly," adding that "no reasonable person" could object to its wording.
"This is still an absolutely shambolic situation. It does look more like a garden clean-up than a forensic investigation," he told reporters.
"Given the almost certain culpability of the Russian-backed rebels in the downing of the aircraft, having these people in control of the site is a little like leaving criminals in control of a crime scene," Abbott added.
The United States has presented what it called "powerful" evidence that the rebels shot down the plane with a Russian surface-to-air missile and training. Other governments have stopped short of accusing Russia of actually causing the crash.
Russian officials have blamed Ukraine's government for creating the situation and atmosphere in which the plane was downed.
Security Council diplomats held consultations late yesterday until past midnight to work out differences between Australia and Russia.
The diplomats emerged cautiously optimistic that a resolution would be approved, but Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin would not guarantee it.
"It was a worthwhile session, so let's see what the result is going to be tomorrow," Churkin told reporters.
Earlier yesterday, Churkin said Russia is concerned the draft "does not accurately reflect the need for an impartial, international investigation."
He said Russia is proposing that the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a UN agency, take the lead in the investigation. The current proposal welcomes "the decision by ICAO to send a team to assist" Ukrainian investigators.
Council ambassadors did not say whether an agreement had been reached on that point.
However, one diplomat said no substantial changes were made to the draft last evening.
The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the private negotiations, said diplomats believed after consultations that Russia was leaning toward approving the resolution, even though only minor changes were made.
