Ukraine: How Russia’s Traditional Allies Have Responded To Putin’s Invasion

While Western countries have continued to impose increasingly severe sanctions on Russia following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, how have Russia's more traditional allies reacted?

Today, March 1, marks the sixth day of war in Ukraine, and Moscow's typical allies are in a tricky position as they try to balance security concerns with economic ties.

So how have they reacted to Putin's invasion?

President of Russia Vladimir Putin (Alamy)

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly called for 'an immediate cessation of violence', but did not take any definitive action against Russia.

Modi was also said to have called Putin, and released a statement of Thursday, February 24, to say that the two countries would have regular contact 'on issues of topical interest'.

The Indian prime minister then reaffirmed 'his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue'.

Igor Polikha, the Ukrainian ambassador, has expressed 'deep dissatisfaction' with the leader's reaction, as per Al Jazeera.

Russia and India's economic relationship was strengthened in December 2021 when the two countries signed defence agreements, which included India purchasing 600,000 rifles from Russia.

Narendra Modi (Alamy)

China has not officially come out in support of either Ukraine or Russia, as it has business dealings with Europe and Russia.

The country said it will not provide Moscow with military support, but on Thursday it began increasing imports of wheat from Russia, which political observers described as a lifeline for Putin and Russia.

However, on Friday, February 25, China's foreign minister said that each country's sovereignty should be respected.

Einar Tangen, a Beijing-based political analyst, noted that while Russia and China 'need each other', the invasion 'is not in line with their idea of a stable world trying to create more trades, but rather that this is going to create more uncertainty'.

Israel gave a short statement in response to Putin's invasion, with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid calling the action 'a serious violation of the international order'.

However, Lapid continued to reaffirm Israel's 'deep, long-lasting and good relations with Russia and with Ukraine'.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Alamy)

Turkey has not condemned the action explicitly but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did 'call for a resolution of the problems between Russia and Ukraine'.

In a statement on Thursday, February 24, Erdogan noted, '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.'

The country has previously stressed for the need of a diplomatic solution amid tensions between NATO and Russia.

However, as of Sunday, Turkey — who is a member of NATO — began to describe the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a 'war' and confirmed it would enact parts of an international pact that could limit the movement of Russian warships from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.

f you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information