Russia (and before it the USSR) is one of five countries that since 1945 has been a permanent member of the UN Security Council, giving it powerful veto rights over any “substantive” resolutions being considered by the body.
On Friday Russia used its veto power to block a Security Council resolution condemning Moscow’s aggression and demanding it withdraws from Ukraine.
The council, which was established after World War Two to avoid future conflicts and promote peace, has four other permanent members: the US, UK, France, and China.
