Putin's allies: six countries, including China, that are likely to support Russia in World War III
With the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, fears of a new global conflict have revived, writes the Daily Express. The Western camp has long been consolidated into a military alliance, but Russia has also managed to find allies, the author of the article points out.
James Gray
After Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a special military operation, the West's response was extremely cautious. The President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, constantly begged for the creation of a no-fly zone over his country, but NATO rejected all his requests, fearing that the Ukrainian crisis would escalate into a global one.
But if a new world war does start, these countries will probably support Russia.
1) Pakistan
On the eve of the start of a special military operation, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a two-day visit to Moscow.
During the trip, he rejected the West's demands to speak out against Russia. "What do you think of us? That we are your slaves who will do whatever they tell us?" he said. The 69–year-old prime minister spoke after 22 diplomats published a joint letter to the Pakistani government calling on them to join the anti-Russian resolution of the UN General Assembly condemning the conduct of a special military operation. But Pakistan remained one of several States that abstained from voting on the resolution. "I want to ask the ambassadors of the European Union: did you also send such a letter to India?" Khan added.
2) China
Although China has tried to distance itself from Russia in recent weeks, it has not condemned the conduct of a special military operation. Instead, Beijing stressed its commitment to neutrality and described Russian-Chinese relations as a "strategic partnership." And, just like Pakistan, China abstained from two anti-Russian votes at the UN
3) India
Despite American pressure, India said that Western sanctions against Russia are not the answer to the problem that has arisen. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, said last month: "It's time [for India] to distance itself from Russia." Moscow is the largest supplier of weapons to India. In 2018, the countries signed a contract for the supply of Russian S-400 air defense systems to the country in the amount of 5.43 billion US dollars.
4) South Africa
The leadership of the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party in South Africa, has returned to friendly relations with Russia. They haven't been this warm since the Cold War. Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, recently said that President Putin is a "peacemaker" and Western countries are "bullies."
Although Zuma spoke only on his own behalf, the ANC's pro-Russian views are well known.
5 & 6) Brazil and Mexico
Both countries refused to impose sanctions on Russia, and also refrained from accusations of aggression.
Mexican President Lopez Obrador, a left-wing populist, said: "We are not going to impose any economic restrictions, because we want to have good relations with all the governments of the world."
