The Russian and Chinese United Nations Security Council delegations vetoed a proposed sanctions resolution against Zimbabwe on 11 July 2008. Although the resolution secured the nine votes necessary to pass, the proposal failed because of the Russian and Chinese vetoes. The vetoes have been met with sharp criticism from the United States, which accuses the two countries of “standing with Mugabe against the people of Zimbabwe.” Russia and China deny these accusations, instead stating that the situation in Zimbabwe remains a domestic affair and has not escalated to a point where it requires international intervention.

President Robert Mugabe and his administration expressed thanks to Russia and China for vetoing the resolution, praising them for not “yielding to international pressure and to the machinations of the West led by Britain and the United States.” The proposed resolution would have imposed an arms embargo on the regime, along with a total asset freeze and travel ban on Mugabe and 13 of his top aides.