List of Pro-Russian Countries During the War with Ukraine

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - It has been almost two years since the Russian-Ukrainian war started, causing many casualties and material losses. The war between the two countries was triggered by Russia's attempted invasion of Ukrainian territory. However, the conflict actually started in 2014 when a separatist movement emerged in eastern Ukraine.

Russia's attack on Ukraine may be the largest in Europe or even the world, after World War II. The United Nations (UN) generally condemns the humanitarian crisis that is occurring. Russia has received many sanctions from the United States (US), the West, and the G7 as a result of the displacement of millions of Ukrainians and damage to infrastructure. This conflict has contributed to global uncertainty in addition to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, there are a number of countries that actually support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to the Kyiv Post, Russia still has allies offering full support. There are also countries such as India and China that have refrained from condemning Russia's actions.

Several countries even opposed the UN Resolution of March 2, 2022 which called on Russia to immediately stop the use of force against Ukraine and withdraw the entire military without conditions. Only Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea voted against the resolution.

The following is a list of countries that are pro-Russian during the war with Ukraine along with explanations as reported by Kyivpost:

1. Belarus

Militarily, Belarus is Russia's biggest supporter of allowing its land and air territory to be used by Kremlin forces. Although they have so far resisted pressure from Putin to send troops to Ukraine, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has no problem with the thousands of missiles launched from his territory towards Ukrainian cities.

Lukashenko does not have much choice in this matter considering that he is still in power because of Russia's assistance in suppressing the people's uprising during the Belarusian Demonstration aka the 2020 Sandal Revolution.

2. Iran

Iran has emerged as one of Russia's remaining allies, leaving Moscow further isolated by the invasion. The Iranian government shares the Kremlin's deep distrust of anything Western. In a telephone call at the start of the invasion, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told Putin that NATO expansion was a serious threat to the stability and security of independent states in different regions.

In December 2022, the US outlined “extensive and growing ties” between Iran and Russia involving equipment such as helicopters, fighter jets and Kamikaze drones. The drones have been attacking Ukrainian cities almost every week for months.

Recently, it was reported that they were being smuggled to Russia using Iranian ships and airlines. There are also concerns that Iran will supply ballistic missiles that Ukraine's current air defenses cannot counter.

3. North Korea

It is not surprising that North Korea has become a staunch supporter of Russia through harsh criticism of the US and blaming the country for a full-scale invasion by the Kremlin.

In recent public comments, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean President Kim Jong-un, stated that the US had “crossed a red line” by sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine. He said, “I express serious concern over the US escalating the situation of war by providing Ukraine with military equipment for ground attacks, and strongly condemn it.

“The US is a big criminal who poses serious threats and challenges to Russia's strategic security and pushed the regional situation to its current serious phase,” Yo-jong added. Meanwhile, the US accuses North Korea of supplying Russia with weapons, especially artillery shells, and funneling them through the Middle East and Africa.

4. Syria

Syria is also Moscow's biggest ally. President Bashar al-Assad hailed the full-scale invasion as a “correction to history” and accused Western countries of using “dirty methods to support terrorists in Syria and Nazis in Ukraine.”

Assad has relied entirely on Russian military support to suppress a popular uprising in Syria that has spiraled into a nearly 12-year civil war.

5. China

The closest thing Russia has is Chinese state support, although it is far from certain or unconditional. China has never condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but neither has it supported it.

However, China acted somewhat ambiguously by echoing the Kremlin line, referring to the invasion as a “special military operation”, and abstaining from a UN vote condemning Russia.

Last year, former Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that he would help Russia overcome difficulties, eliminate interference, realize strategic development goals, and further establish Russia on the international stage.

However, this stands in stark contrast to comments by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning who called for de-escalation of the invasion, saying, “All countries deserve respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Support must be provided for all efforts conducive to resolving the crisis peacefully," he said.

Russia has repeatedly asked China for weapons, but the country led by Xi Jinping has strongly refused. On the other hand, according to US Intelligence sources, China has provided non-lethal equipment such as bulletproof jackets and helmets.

Indirectly, China's support for Moscow can be seen from the increase in Russian oil and gas imports. China appears to remain wary of doing more for fear of anger and debilitating Western sanctions.

6. India

In a televised meeting last September, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Putin his stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"I know that today's era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you over the phone about this," Modi said.

Just like China, India has increased its imports of Russian gas and oil since February 2022, which indirectly helps finance the Kremlin's military.

India also abstained from UN votes on almost every resolution condemning Russian aggression. The general public in India also appears to have strong support for Russia as a result of the country's dependence on Russian military equipment and the Soviet Union's history of assistance in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

7. Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

The Moscow-led CSTO is a military alliance in Eurasia consisting of six post-Soviet countries, namely Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

However, not all of them have been involved in supporting Russia over the past year. According to one analyst, Russia is losing influence in the South Caucasus after decades of acting as a power broker.

Like Kazakhstan, they rejected Russia's request to take part in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the country also did not directly criticize the invasion and did not officially recognize the breakaway Republic of Luhansk and Donetsk in Eastern Ukraine which was backed by Russia.

Armenia also refused to host CSTO military exercises last month. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been too cautious in supporting Russia to possibly be seen as annoying by Moscow.

8. Myanmar

Myanmar's military junta also supports Russia, which it says "is acting to protect its sovereignty". They praised Russia's role in balancing global power. One thing you need to know, Russia is the main supplier of weapons to Myanmar.

KYOV POST (NIA HEPPY | SYAHDI MUHARRAM) (CW)

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