Russia has voiced regret over the UN Security Council's rejection of a resolution calling for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories and the establishment of a Palestinian state by late 2017.
Russia, a permanent Security Council member with veto power, was one of eight council states that voted in favor of the Palestinian measure on December 30.
The United States voted against the measure, which needed nine 'yes' votes and either support or an abstention from Washington to pass.
"The fact that the resolution was not approved cannot fail to cause regret," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on December 31.
It said it was "particularly alarming that this occurred against a backdrop of a serious degradation" of Middle East peace efforts.
The resolution called for negotiations based on territorial lines before Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in 1967, and for a peace deal within one year.
The U.S. ambassador to the UN said it was one-sided and would "undermine efforts to achieve a two-state solution."
Israel expressed satisfaction that it failed.
