The question of who Russia’s enemies are may seem obvious. Clearly Kyiv is locked in a conflict that has passed its two-year mark and is wholeheartedly backed by most NATO western powers (though some have doubts about Hungary). 

But there are countries that are allies with Russia – some who offer their full-throated backing and others, such as China and India, who refrain from endorsing the full-scale war against Ukraine, though they refuse to condemn it despite it clearly breaking international law.

A good place to start looking for who is fully behind Russia’s war in Ukraine is to examine who voted against a UN resolution on Feb. 23, 2023, calling for "ending the war in Ukraine and demanded Russia’s immediate withdrawal from the country, in line with the UN Charter.”

Advertisement

Only Russia, Belarus, Syria, rogue state North Korea, Mali, Nicaragua and Eritrea voted against the resolution. 

Belarus: Moscow's Loyal Ally

Militarily, Belarus is Russia’s closest ally, having allowed both its land and airspace to be used by the Kremlin’s forces.

Despite resisting pressure thus far from Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to send troops into Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has had no qualms about the thousands of missiles launched from Belarus toward Ukraine’s cities.

Lukashenko has little choice in the matter given he’s only still in power because Moscow helped him quash a popular uprising after a contested election in 2020.

Putin Leaves it Up to Steven Seagal to Visit Crocus City Victims
Other Topics of Interest

Putin Leaves it Up to Steven Seagal to Visit Crocus City Victims

As the Kremlin said President Putin had no plans to visit either the site or the victims of Friday’s attack, the actor who is one of his admirers did.

In June 2023, Belarus began hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its own territories, while the Kremlin retains full control over said weapons. 

Iran: Replenishing Russian Arms Stockpile

Iran has emerged as one of Russia’s few remaining allies, with Moscow increasingly isolated because of the 2022 invasion.

The Iranian government shares the Kremlin’s deep distrust of anything Western, and during a phone call at the outset of the full-scale invasion, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told Putin: “NATO expansion is a serious threat to the stability and security of independent countries in different regions.”

Advertisement

In December of 2022, the U.S. outlined what it said was an extensive and developing relationship between Iran and Russia involving equipment such as helicopters, fighter jets and kamikaze drones.

These drones have attacked Ukrainian cities on an almost weekly basis for months, and it was reported that they are being smuggled into Russia using boats and Iran’s state airline. Reports began to surface in August 2023 that Russia might be producing Iranian drones on its own territory, with assistance from the Islamic enclave. 

Iran's economic and military ties with Russia have only increased and there are also fears Iran could supply Russia with ballistic missiles, which Ukraine’s current air defenses cannot shoot down.

North Korea: Newfound Ally

Perhaps unsurprisingly, longtime nemesis of the international order North Korea is a staunch supporter of Moscow and has heavily criticized the U.S. and blamed it for the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion.

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said the U.S. was “crossing the red line” with its decision to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Advertisement

She added: “I express serious concern over the U.S. escalating the war situation by providing Ukraine with military hardware for ground offensive, and strongly denounce it.

“The U.S. is the arch-criminal which poses serious threat and challenge to the strategic security of Russia and pushed the regional situation to the present grave phase.”

The U.S. has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with weapons, artillery shells in particular, funneling them through the Middle East and Africa in 2022. It is also believed to have supplied Moscow with more than a thousand containers of weapons in 2023 after North Korean leader Kim made a high-profile diplomatic visit to Russia.

Putin and Kim meeting in September. PHOTO: AFP

Syria: Moscow's Middle Eastern Stronghold

Moscow still continues to attract the most unsavory of allies, as Syria has become one of its biggest fans.

President Bashar al-Assad praised the full-scale invasion as a “correction of history” and accused Western nations of using “dirty methods to support terrorists in Syria and Nazis in Ukraine.”

Assad has been entirely dependent on Russian military support to suppress a popular uprising in his own nation which escalated into a now nearly 12-year civil war.

Russia established a permanent military presence at naval and air bases in Syria in 2017, with smaller deployments prior to that. 

Advertisement

China: Kremlin's Biggest Global Partner

The closest thing Moscow has to global superpower support since Russia invaded Ukraine is China, though it is far from definitive or unconditional. China has never condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, nor has it endorsed it, though Beijing and Moscow remain on friendly diplomatic terms. 

China has walked a delicate and slightly ambiguous line that has at times echoed the Kremlin’s line, referring to the invasion as a “special military operation,” for instance and abstaining from United Nations votes condemning it.

In 2022, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said his country would help Russia “overcome difficulties, eliminate disturbances, realize the strategic goals of development, and further establish Russia on the international stage.”

Yet this contrasted sharply with comments from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who called for de-escalation, adding, “all countries deserve respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and that “support should be given to all efforts that are conducive to peacefully resolving the crisis.”

Russia has repeatedly requested arms from China, but as far as is known, Beijing has balked. China has, however, provided non-lethal equipment such as flak jackets and helmets, according to U.S. intelligence sources. In October 2023, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov admitted "basically all" civilian drones came from China. 

Advertisement

One way in which China is undoubtedly supporting Moscow is by increasing imports of Russian oil and gas. The two countries also share close economic ties, reaffirmed by Putin's attendance at China's Belt and Road Forum in October 2023, with the Russian president calling his counterpart Xi a "dear friend."

But China remains wary of doing more in case it incurs the wrath of debilitating Western sanctions.

Putin and China's President Xi Jinping make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023. PHOTO: AFP.

India: Historical Ties to Russia 

India is another country that has walked an ambiguous line and the closest it has come to criticizing Russia was during an awkward televised meeting in September of 2022, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Putin, “I know that today’s era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this.”

And yet, just like China, India has increased imports of Russian gas and oil since February of 2022, indirectly helping finance the Kremlin’s military.

India has also abstained from voting on nearly every resolution condemning Russian aggression at the UN.

Advertisement

The general public in India appears to have strong support for Russia, which may be a result of both India’s current reliance on Russian military hardware and recollections of the Soviet Union assisting India in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

Mali: Russia's Expanding Ambition Among African Nations

Mali has recently swung sharply into the Kremlin's orbit after the French ended and withdrew Operation Barkhane, its military mission to save the capital from being sacked by jihadists.

Currently ruled by military putschists who have denounced France, the authorities have enlisted the help of Russian Wagner mercenaries to solidify their power.

Commenting on the development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently said: "Everywhere Wagner goes, bad things tend to follow.

"Where we have seen it act, it hasn't improved security. On the contrary, we've actually seen things get worse, and the exploitation of resources, the corruption, the violence that it brings are a plague on people in the countries that have chosen to work with it."

While most African nations such as South Africa led by  President Cyril Ramaphosa, refrained overtly from picking a side in Russia's war in Ukraine, Moscow's propaganda proved to be effective in swaying the local population, a phenomenon which can also be seen in Latin America.

Eritrea: a Symbolic Alliance

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Eritrea in January of 2023, part of an African tour designed to firm up support in countries that could be persuaded to stand with the Kremlin over the West. The continent has become somewhat of a diplomatic battleground since the Ukraine war began.

Eritrea is one of the most closed off countries in the world and has been ruled by the iron fist of President Isaias Afwerki since the country gained independence from Ethiopia since 1993. The country's army has been accused of numerous atrocities against civilians during a brutal two-year war in Ethiopia's northernmost region of Tigray.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Moscow-led CSTO is a military alliance in Central Asia made up of six post-Soviet states: Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, but not all of them have played ball over the last year.

Analysts say Russia – distracted by its protracted war in Ukraine – is losing influence in the Southern Caucasus after decades of playing the role of power broker. For instance, the fall of Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh has prompted its prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, to call Moscow's security guarantee "ineffective."

Despite being a member of CSTO, Kazakhstan reportedly denied a Russian request to take part in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

And while the country’s government has avoided directly criticizing Russia, it has also not officially recognized the Russian-backed Luhansk and Donetsk Republics in eastern Ukraine.

Armenia similarly refused to host CSTO military drills. And Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan have been wary of supporting Russia “in ways Moscow may find irritating,” according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Myanmar

Elsewhere in the world, Myanmar’s military junta, which overthrew a democratically elected government two years ago, supports Russia, which it has said was “acting to protect its sovereignty,” and praised Russia’s role in “balancing global power.”

Russia is a major ARMS supplier to Myanmar. 

Article updated 10.23.2023

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Comments (15)

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
AlexanderRybak
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Very bad. How about you find out about Serbia and then make an article. Dissapointing.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Brian
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

There is time for everything and everything has the end

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
LucyParker
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Thanks for sharing the information your blog is amazing and informative, also check ¿Qué es un divorcio de mutuo acuerdo en Virginia?

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
dijon7
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

The photo of the vote, which is shown in this article shows Myanmar voted for Russia to immediately leave Ukraine, while Nicaragua voted againt the resolution.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Irina
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

ad Austria: yes, a Breach of Human Rights, practiced by a member of EC.
The murderer, a man lets Russian women walk up and down the street with oversized female hygienic articles when having the days - but in light-colored trousers and he laughs together with other one about it --- if Putin knew that his women were being ridiculed, a mentally ill person who works for them .. An exaltation! They do rob women of their DIGNITY.

Or he lets Muslim Persians, or whom they are supposed to portray, walk in underpants in front of Muslim and Christian women between 12-60 on the balcony in the afternoon, which can hardly cover his genitals.

Do Muslim countries like Arabia, Egypt, know what is happening in Austria?
The mentally ill says he is a very good friend of the former chancellor

They let observe innocent persons like Palestinians to reflect their missing understanding of human rights. Innocent until today!

A lot of Russians do have their money in Austria stored, managed by Ettl
infiltrating of Sanctions is probably.

Where are Ukrainian Bugeda and Angert? A woman is tortured for nearly 3 years because detecting infiltrating of sanctions. Please help to end the torture of the woman - shoot the woman down before the serial killer is doing worst..

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Igor
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Austria is not a Honest friend of Ukrainian, Austria is developing warfare agents and acid together with Iran and Russia and is testing this on their own citizens, if someone is killing another persons, because of high psycho-active substance, eg hard metal, then a foreign man, a migrant is guilty not the real one. There are no investigation of money laundering
HELMUT ETTL, board of banking supervisory Austria is using killers (like y prigozhin is doing) to eliminate persons detecting money laundering, they are protecting the theft of Ukrainian Assets. They are torturing and make their own victims to guilty one, lying a lot - on behalf of Ettl, Doskozil - to offer an atmosphere for those washing their money to deal with Uran, Rockets, Weapons .. for those being in (citizen) wars. The last months, years, corruption is increasing, journalists are not allowed to tell about facts to offer an atmosphere of being the nice one. Where are the lot of young Ukrainian around 5200, missed in Austria?
The (serial) killer is using techniques from Russia, changing his profiles describing to be psychic sick.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Phillips, J.
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Who are the Ukrainian allies? You must be joking or have your head in the sand. Almost ALL of Nato's 30 members, soon to be 31 with Finland are allies with Ukraine. Plus many other non-NATO countries are allies.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
David
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

It should be clearly understood that the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have mostly Russian equipment, for which ongoing supply of critical spare parts and support from Russia is essential to resist Chinas creeping invasion of northern India, its naval incursions., and for meeting Indias new naval defence alliance obligations together with Japan, Australia , UK and America
India has a 75 year history of non-aligned independence, modified as needed for the realities it faces.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Florian Danzinger
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Germany dad been very dependent on Russian gas and had to switch to other suppliers which was not easy. It has been hosting Ukrainian refugees and supplying weapons to Ukraine. I have criticised the German government for doing too little too late, but compared to the sleazy Indians, they are exemplary. India did nothing to help Ukrainians. India had no qualms profiting from the suffering in Ukraine. It has imported Russian crude oil to refine it and sell it, thus circumventing the embargo. So stop whining. Indians are a disgrace an a host to the fat and drunk Russian tourists.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Skylar Rocklege
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

People complaining against India's decision to buy Russian Oil must know that Europe remained the top importer of Russian energy even after the 2014 Annexation of Crimea - which is openly complained about. Europe only took action against Russian energy in 2022 due to pressure from the US. Europe's spinelessness can not be overlooked.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Len Ridgway
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Why do you not ask Turkey and Hungary why they are not supplying weapons to Ukraine even though they are NATO Countries ?, I think the Turkish Leader is only interested in lining his pockets with Russian money and influence, also he is playing into Russias hands by excluding Sweden !, he has shown his ineptitude with his response the Earthquake response in Turkey and hopefully his days are numbered. As for Hungary well its quite obvious that their leader is pro Russian and the way he is going he may be kicked out of NATO and the EU. When Ukraine wins the war and its territory back I really want to visit Ukraine and see the wonderful people there :-9, Glory to Ukraine !!!!!!!!!

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Harsha
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

I dunno who wrote this content ..but it stupid as Hell.

India helped Russia their oil imports are 9%? What about Germany France Italy and other European unions...who imported more? All these countries population is not even close to India's population yet they import many times more.Why did you not mention that?
Secondly, India stopped Russia from destroying the nuclear power plant and stopped them from using Nuclear weapons( don't belive me...read the article where US senate mentioned it themselves) India did more than what other European countries ever did to Ukraine.

Third ..why would India support Ukraine over Russia when all Ukraine did was criticize India on Kashmir and supported Porkisthan without reading any history of Kashmir..Kashmir was a Hindu land which was occupied illegally by Pakistan and Russia on the other end supported India from the start.
Why would India have to support or stay neutral? But still they stayed neutral despite Ukraine constantly mocked India.
Talk about peace..u learn from India

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Joe maguire
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Why did you know includ Orban with India and China

Volodya
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Joe maguire, I wondered whether he’d be on the list, as well!

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Richard Fursman
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Hope you enjoy your cheap oil, India. What's a few hundred thousand lives lost and the abduction and enslavement of millions of people? Apparently, an acceptable price for a cheap source of oil! Mahatma Ghandi would be so proud.

Dmitry kabarov
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Richard Fursman,

Dmitry
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Dmitry kabarov, What about the.millions of lives lost.in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria where the Europe and western powers were involved? India has been an.ally of russia for more than 7 decade and remains.to be.neutral

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Florian Danzinger
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Dmitry, millions? Really? Most people in those countries were killed by their own stupid countrymen who blew themselves up. Now that Western powers retreated from Afghanistan, which they had been feeding for ages, it has become the shithole it was before. How can you explain that people from those countries want to come to Europe or the USA? At the same time anyone, belonging to the rare breed of intelligent Russians with a backbone, has left the Russia if not already imprisoned for criticising that moronic and inhumane government. I guess you belong to the rest of Russians. I hope you soon head for incineration in some Russian heap of scrap so to spare us with such stupid comments.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Prince
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Richard Fursman,

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Jason
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

It is time that Europe woke up and realized that India is no friend and take sanctioning action.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png