The idea of a renewed shooting war between the two should be enough to raise a greater level of concern than is currently being expressed by the international community.
What does more harm to the liberal international order: violating the principle that only the Security Council can permit the invasion of another country, or letting the Syrian regime flaunt international humanitarian law by continuing its massacre?
After last minute bid for amendment fails, Russia and China veto the Security Council's draft resolution on Syria.
How diluted can this resolution get and still have a political effect of isolating the Assad regime internationally and emboldening internal dissidents?
Why not add language to pacify Russia's concerns; secure Russia's abstention; then pass the resolution?
Diplomatic heavyweights are gathering at the United Nations today for a Security Council meeting on Syria. Russia looks like it won't budge.
The diplomatic gambit to press Bashar al Assad just got a little more interesting.
For South Africa, January may be its last big chance to prove that it has what it takes to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The Russian Federation is finally engaging at the UN Security Council on Syria, but the cause for joy is muted.