After Russia ordered full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, world leaders across the globe were swift in condemning the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Millions have already fled Ukraine as Putin continues to exacerbate tensions, threatening any country that supports Ukraine.
Despite these threats, many have swooped in to do what they can to help the refugees – including providing food, medicine, and safe shelter.
But are any countries supportive of Russia? Here is everything you need to know about the country’s allies.
Has Russia got any allies?
Historically, Russia does indeed have allies, but it’s not yet clear how each of these allies feel about the latest developments in Ukraine.
Russia has some consistent allies, particularly the countries in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The EAEU is a political and economic union first proposed by Putin in 2011 and signed into being by initial member states Belarus and Kazakhstan alongside Russia.
Armenia (a long term ally of Russia) and Kyrgyzstan were welcomed into the union in 2015.
Tajikistan has been touted as a potential future member, and an ally to Russia.
A number of other countries have also been tipped to join in the future, including Cuba and Uzbekistan.
India also has a strategic partnership with Russia, after signing the Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership in October 2000, however, India have increasingly amiable relations to the US.
Similarly, Pakistan has had a mixed relationship with Russia, having largely supported the West during the Cold War but also celebrated the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Russia in 2018.
There are a number of other countries who maintain fair relations with Russia, though they might not be considered a straightforward ally. These include Israel and Turkey.
Is China supporting Russia?
China is often considered to be a strong ally of Russia.
In 2001, both countries signed the ‘Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation’.
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The 20-year pact was recently renewed for five more years, now set to run until at least 2026.
The treaty outlines the basis for peaceful relations and economic cooperation, as well as diplomatic and geopolitical reliance.
Part of this treaty also expressly hinted at supporting one another in times of conflict, including the sharing of ‘military know-how’ and Chinese access to Russian military technology.
Another key part of the Treaty is the agreement that Russia sees Taiwan as ‘an inalienable part of China’.
This mirrors the Ukraine situation and could imply that Russia would support a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, just as they invaded Ukraine.
Recently, the Financial Times reported that, according to US officials, Russia had asked China for military equipment to support its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
However, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry denied the accusation as ‘disinformation’.
Have any Russian allies condemned the war in Ukraine?
Though Russia does have some economic allies, most have condemned the violence taking place in Ukraine.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call for ‘an immediate cessation of violence’ after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announced war against Ukraine. In a phone call with Putin, Modi called for ‘concerted efforts from all sides.’
China said it will not provide Moscow with military support but it has been upping trade with increased imports of wheat from Russia.
However, China’s foreign minister has previously stressed that each country’s sovereignty should be respected, calling on parties to return to the negotiating table.
Israel has also expressed concern at the actions taken by Putin.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid condemned Russia’s move as ‘a serious violation of the international order’, but also stressed Israel’s ‘deep, long-lasting and good relations with Russia and with Ukraine’.
Turkey have taken something of a neutral stance.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Moscow’s military actions amount to a ‘heavy blow’ to regional peace and stability and reiterated Turkey’s ‘call for a resolution of the problems between Russia and Ukraine’.
‘We cannot give up on either of the countries. We have political, economic and military relations with Russia, and we also have political, economic and military relations with Ukraine,’ Erdogan said.
Pakistan is another ally who have been tepid in their response to the invasion of Ukraine.
In fact, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is the first world leader to have met with Putin after the invasion begun.
Khan had gone to Moscow with the aim of enhancing economic ties with Russia, one of the world’s largest producers of gas, at a time when Pakistan’s energy needs are escalating.
Which countries have supported Russia in their action against Ukraine?
Belarus has sided with Russia, and have sent help in to aid Putin’s forces.
A tweet from the official Twitter account of the Ukrainian parliament claimed that troops ‘have entered’ the region of Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine.
The UK has levied sanctions on a number of Belarusian officials to inflict ‘economic pain on Putin and those closest to him.’
The Foreign Office said the Belarusian military has ‘supported and enabled the Russian invasion of Ukraine.’
Myanmar have gone on record as calling the invasion of Ukraine ‘justified.’
Government spokesman Zaw Min Tun said Moscow’s military had ‘carried out what is justified for the sustainability of their country’s sovereignty.’
‘Russia shows its position to the world as a world power,’ he added in the statement, which was also released in Russian.
Venezuela have not openly supported the invasion of Ukraine, but they have condemned the US for allegedly aiding in the breaking of the Minsk agreement.
‘The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its worry over the worsening of the crisis in Ukraine, and laments the mockery and violation of the Minsk accords on the part of NATO, encouraged by the United States of America,’ the ministry said in a statement.
The Minsk agreements were a series of international agreements which sought to end the war in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
Syria has also supported Putin’s actions.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had a phone call with Putin during which Al Jazeera reported that he praised Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine, denouncing what he called Western ‘hysteria’ surrounding it.
Al-Assad told Putin what was happening in Ukraine was a ‘correction of history and restoration of balance which was lost in the world after the breakup of the Soviet Union.’
Russia-Ukraine war: Everything you need to know
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, the country has suffered widespread damages and loss of life amid a major bombing campaign.
Millions of people have fled the country, with thousands of British people opening up their homes to Ukrainian refugees.
During the course of the war, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has remained in Kyiv, despite the Ukrainian capital being subjected to a barrage of bombing.
Zelensky has continuously pushed for aid and support from world leaders, as well as pressing for fast-tracked NATO membership.
Meanwhile, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has been widely condemned for his attack on Ukraine.
His actions have been met by harsh economic sanctions, bans from competing in major sporting events, and countries moving away from using Russian oil.
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