When Russia blocked a Security Council resolution on Syria this month, Ms. Power said flatly that "Russia continues to hold the council hostage".
Not only has Russia blocked any United Nations action, but even America's strongest ally, Britain, has opted against participating.
So goes a rather Soviet-style joke making the rounds since August 5th, when Russia blocked food imports from countries that have imposed sanctions on it.
Russia blocked hundreds of referrals and visas for Irish people in the process of adopting this year, claiming it was missing reports from previous adoptive families.
Russia blocks UN action and overtly sells arms to the Assad government, while the Obama administration insists Russian cooperation is essential to handling the crisis.
Dealing more effectively with Russia became a priority after a dispute between Ukraine and Russia blocked gas supplies to a number of European countries during the depths of winter two years ago.
This project was championed by Poland and Sweden in 2008 as a way of engaging with six former Soviet republics (Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia) after Russia blocked Georgia's and Ukraine's path to NATO.
This summer, observers from the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were forced to leave the country after Russia blocked their missions' extension, arguing that international bodies should recognize the territories' independence if they wish to continue working there.
The decision to seek a formal resolution came after Russia blocked a statement drafted by Britain that condemned the airstrike, apparently carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, which killed more than 140 mourners.
Reuters reported in December 2014 on how Russia blocked a request by the United States, Britain and France for the UN to sack the Russian chief-of-staff of the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission.
