Live-blogging the Security Council, Part II

A few hours ago, the British ambassador popped out of the ongoing Security Council debate—the Russian ambassador hadn't even spoken yet—to declare defeat. He reported that the statements of the Serbian and Albanian leaders made clear that there would be no resolution here today. The debate only served to show how "enormous the gulf is between the parties." The EU, he suggested, should get ready to take the next steps without Council backing. The question is how pugnacious the Russians will be in response.

Update: U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad exited the chamber a short while later to fire off his own broadside. Asked about Russian arguments that previous Council resolutions preclude independence for Kosovo, he said flatly, "They're wrong." He also reported that he made one final plea with the Russians to be reasonable, but to no avail. It's notable that the Brits and the Americans have taken the lead. No word yet from the French or other EU members.

Update II: The Russians and the Serbian prime minister have now left the meeting. The Russian ambassador said negotiations still hold promise but also warned that "any move towards unilateral independence would clearly be outside the limits of international law." Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said that independence for Kosovo threatens to usher in a new era in which "might is above right." (A bit rich coming from a Serbian nationalist.) The EU and the U.S., meanwhile, issued a statement saying that the potential for negotiations is "exhausted."

That's a wrap for Kosovo—the Council is moving on to Somalia in a few moments. The hits just keep coming...