Russia’s lone “no” vote Saturday against a draft U.N. resolution criticizing Crimea’s upcoming secession referendum only shows how isolated it has become internationally, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power.
Russia was the only country among the 15-member U.N. Security Council to snub the draft's text.
"The vote today shows the supreme isolation of Russia in the international community," Power told NBC News.
China, regarded as an ally of Russia on the issue, abstained from the vote.
"The fact that China did not join Russia in voting 'no' in this resolution is very significant," Power added.
Citizens voting in Sunday's referendum will decide whether to join Russia or remain an autonomous region in Ukraine.
Power said the U.N. vote is significant because it shows the international community objects to Russia's actions in Crimea.
"Our hope is that this vote, in showing that the entire world stands with international law, with the Ukrainian people, with territorial integrity, that somehow that will affect [Russian President Vladimir Putin's] calculus," Power said, adding: "If it does not, Russia will be held accountable for its escalation."
