MOSCOW - Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, said the US-proposed resolution on the Ukraine crisis, adopted Monday by the Security Council, is "a starting point" for further efforts toward a peaceful settlement.

"The adopted text is not perfect, but it is essentially the first attempt by the Council to produce a constructive and forward-looking document that speaks of a path to peace rather than fanning the flames of conflict," said Nebenzia.

He said the crisis has complex origins and cannot be reduced to a mere confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, urging against allowing external forces to derail peace efforts by both Russia and the United States.

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The adopted resolution appealed for a swift end to the conflict, mourned the loss of life, and urged a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. The resolution received 10 votes in favor, none against, and five abstentions including France, Britain, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia.