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'You cannot veto our voices': U.S. envoy on Russia's U.N. veto

STORY: China's abstention comes just weeks after Beijing and Moscow declared a "no limits" partnership. The vote was delayed two hours for last minute negotiations by the United States and others to win the Chinese abstention, diplomats said. The Council softened the language in its resolution and dropped parts of it, including a reference to 'the president'. The United Arab Emirates and India also abstained from the vote on the U.S.-drafted text, while the remaining 11 council members voted in favor.

Russia is a U.N. Security Council veto power, along with the United States, China, France and Britain.

"We are united behind Ukraine and its people, despite a reckless, irresponsible permanent member of the Security Council abusing its power to attack its neighbor and subvert the U.N. and our international system," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after Russia cast its veto.

The draft Security Council resolution demanded that Russia "immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine", withdraw all its military forces and reverse its recognition of two separatist states in eastern Ukraine as independent.

The draft resolution is now expected to be taken up by the 193-member U.N. General Assembly.