As expected, Russia prevented the UN Security Council from criticizing the Russian invasion of Ukraine by resolution.
The Russian representative exercised his country's right of veto in the vote on Friday.
Of the 15 members of the Council, 11 voted in favor of the draft, with China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining.
According to the draft submitted by the US and Albania, the body should "strongly condemn" Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine.
In the hours leading up to the vote, the text had been softened to prevent the three countries that abstained from also voting against it, a diplomat said.
For example, the word "condemn" was replaced by "regret".
The failure of the resolution was programmed because of Russia's right of veto.
The text can now be presented to the UN General Assembly, where no country can veto it.
However, General Assembly resolutions are not binding.
Something similar happened after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
China abstained from the Security Council, and the remaining thirteen members voted in favor of the resolution.
Russia vetoed it.
The resolution was then presented to the General Assembly, where it was approved by a vote of 100 to 11.
58 countries abstained, the other countries stayed away from the vote.
Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine Thursday morning, invading from multiple directions.
Within a few hours, the Russian armed forces advanced to the greater Kiev area.