"Russia on Tuesday vetoed a US-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution that would have set up an investigation into chemical weapons use in Syria following an alleged toxic gas attack in rebel-held Douma.
It was the 12th time that Russia has used its veto power at the council to block action targeting its Syrian ally.
A rival measure put forward by Moscow failed to garner enough votes for adoption, laying bare the divisions within the council over Syria as the threat of Western military action loomed large...
As the showdown between Russia and the United States got underway, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the United States of 'planting this resolution' as a 'pretext' to justify action against Syria.
'We are using the veto in order to protect international rule of law, peace and security, to make sure that you do not drag the Security Council into your adventures,' Nebenzia said.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley shot back, saying 'Russia has trashed the credibility of the council.'
'Whenever we propose anything meaningful on Syria, Russia vetoes it. It is a travesty,' she said.
Twelve of the 15 council members backed the US-drafted measure. Bolivia voted against it alongside Russia, while China abstained.
Britain, France and the United States were among the seven countries that voted against the Russian proposal which they argued would not create an independent panel to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use..."