Russian President Vladimir Putin has left his country largely isolated on the world stage after he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
When Russian troops marched over the border into Ukraine, the West immediately set about imposing sanctions on Moscow.
Russia was removed from the Swift global banking group, 70 percent of Russian assets worldwide were frozen, and bans were imposed on the export of various products to Moscow.
While Putin has been left politically and economically cut off from most countries around the world, some have still sought to forge good relations with Moscow.
Voting on resolutions at the United Nations reveals a lot about how certain countries are trying to cosy up to Putin.
The four countries that have voted in support of Russia in all UN votes are Russia themselves, along with Belarus, North Korea and Syria.
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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been a steadfast supporter of Russia, even allowing Moscow’s troops to use Belarus as a staging post during the invasion.
Putin played a big role in the Syrian war, helping to prop up dictator Bashar al-Assad by heavily bombing ISIS.
The Russian President recently visited North Korea, where he and President Kim Jong-un signed a security pact.
China and Iran are two more anti-Western countries that have provided or have been accused of providing, weapons supplies to help with the invasion of Ukraine.
Many countries have opted to stay neutral in the Ukraine debate by abstaining on some or all votes.
In 2023, Russia even provided a list of 33 friendly and neutral countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brazil, Venezuela, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Qatar, China, Cuba, Malaysia, Morocco, Mongolia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, South Africa.
South Africa is one country that has been accused of pandering to Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine. The country held naval drills with Russia last year.
Turkey’s warm relationship with Russia has also raised eyebrows given that the country is a NATO member.
In September last year, President Erdogan said he trusts Russia as much as he trusts the West.
Serbia’s President has been more explicit with his support for Putin in the past. The country has also been accused of turning a blind eye as its weapons are sent to Ukraine.
In March last year, Alexander Vucic criticised the International Criminal Court for issuing an arrest warrant against Putin. He has also boasted of his strong relationship with Putin, and refused to hit Russia with sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine.
Brazil, India, China, and South Africa have all formed a BRICS economic alliance with Russia. Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all joined later on.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained largely neutral on the war in Ukraine, but is planning a state visit to Russia at a yet unconfirmed date.
Modi warned Putin in 2022 that today’s era is “not of war”. India has repeatedly abstained from votes condemning Russia at the United Nations.
Putin has also focused a lot of effort on winning over some African countries. Eritrea and Mali are among Russia’s more staunch backers from Africa.
