The United Nations Security Council is holding a closed door meeting for the second consecutive day to discuss the current situation in Ukraine.

The president of the Security Council said informal consultations among council members would be held.

The council also held closed door consultations on Friday at the request of Ukraine's UN ambassador, Yuriy Sergeyev, who referred to "the deterioration of the situation" in the Crimean peninsula which he said "threatens the territorial integrity of Ukraine".

Russia's parliament has approved a motion to use the country's military in Ukraine after a request from President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine has already accused Russia of "a military invasion and occupation" of strategic points in the Crimean peninsula, a Ukrainian territory where Russia's Black Sea fleet is based.

As a permanent member, Russia has veto power on any council resolution.

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