By Tova O'Brien and 3 News online staff
New Zealand is about to face one of its biggest tests during its month-long term as president of the United Nations Security Council.
Russia is expected to veto a Malaysian-backed resolution on the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
It's tricky territory for New Zealand. Foreign Minister Murray McCully received a short notice invitation yesterday to meet his US counterpart John Kerry in Washington – no doubt a fair bit to do with New Zealand's position on the Security Council.
In New Zealand's final week as president, Russia is expected to vote down plans for a tribunal that would prosecute those responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
The Boeing 777-200ER crashed in Ukraine on July 14, 2014, after being shot down by suspected Russian-backed militants.
Earlier this month Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the proposed tribunal was "an attempt to organise a grandiose, political show, which only damages efforts to find the guilty parties".
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