Going into the UN debate over Syria, one of Russia’s main objections was that a tough Security Council resolution would accelerate the country’s slide into civil war. Yet, by exercising its veto on Saturday – and dragging China along – Moscow may have ensured the very outcome it seeks to prevent: a widening of the military conflict.

The Arab League, which has sought to find a diplomatic solution to the nearly one-year Syrian uprising had turned to the UN for help, hoping that an international consensus would push Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, into a corner, forcing him to implement a peaceful plan for a political transition.

Despite concessions to Russia, including a clear statement that the resolution did not authorise military action and the omission of any mention of an arms embargo, Moscow remained unsatisfied, exercising a veto that led to a spectacular collapse of international diplomacy on Syria.