Russia is a country that often makes headlines for its controversial actions and policies, such as invading Ukraine, interfering in elections, and opposing the West. But behind the scenes, Russia also has many friends and allies around the world, who support its interests and values. Who are these countries, and what are the reasons behind their friendship with Russia? In this article, we will explore the top 10 friends of Russia, based on their government actions, historical ties and public opinion.
1. Belarus
Belarus is the closest ally of Russia in Europe. The two countries share a common history, culture and language, and have formed a union state since 1999. Belarus depends on Russia for its economic and security needs, and has supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere. According to a survey by the Levada Center, a Russian non-governmental organization, 82% of Russians consider Belarus as one of their top five friends.
2. China
China is the most important partner of Russia in Asia. The two countries have developed a strategic partnership based on mutual interests, such as balancing the US influence, expanding trade and investment, and cooperating on energy, technology and military affairs. China has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and has backed Russia’s position on issues like Iran, North Korea and Venezuela. According to the same survey by the Levada Center, 58% of Russians consider China as one of their top five friends.
3. India
India is another key ally of Russia in Asia. The two countries have a long-standing friendship that dates back to the Soviet era, when India received economic and military assistance from Moscow. Today, India remains one of the largest buyers of Russian weapons, and also cooperates with Russia on nuclear energy, space exploration and counter-terrorism. India has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine crisis, and has increased its engagement with Russia through discounted oil prices. According to a poll by YouGov, a British market research company, 54% of Indians approve of Vladimir Putin’s leadership.
4. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a former Soviet republic that has maintained close ties with Russia. The two countries share a long border, a large ethnic Russian minority in Kazakhstan, and a membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, a regional integration project led by Moscow. Kazakhstan has supported Russia’s annexation of Crimea but has also expressed concern over the Ukraine war and the rights of ethnic Kazakhs in Russia. According to the Levada Center survey, 48% of Russians consider Kazakhstan as one of their top five friends.
5. Syria
Syria is a Middle Eastern country that owes its survival to Russia’s intervention. Since 2015, Russia has provided military and diplomatic support to Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which is fighting against various rebel groups and foreign powers in a civil war that started in 2011. Syria has granted Russia access to its naval and air bases, and has endorsed Russia’s role as a regional powerbroker. According to the Levada Center survey, 35% of Russians consider Syria as one of their top five friends.
6. Pakistan
Pakistan is a South Asian country that has improved its relations with Russia in recent years. The two countries have overcome their Cold War rivalry, when Pakistan was allied with the US and China against the Soviet-backed India and Afghanistan. Today, Pakistan and Russia cooperate on security issues, such as fighting terrorism and stabilizing Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. Pakistan also seeks to diversify its sources of arms and energy from China and Saudi Arabia to Russia. According to the YouGov poll, 49% of Pakistanis approve of Putin’s leadership.
7. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is an African country that has a long history of friendship with Russia. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1898, and Ethiopia received Soviet support during its wars with Italy and Somalia in the 20th century. Ethiopia also adopted a socialist system under Mengistu Haile Mariam from 1974 to 1991, which was backed by Moscow. Today, Ethiopia and Russia cooperate on economic development, education and culture, and regional peace and security. According to the YouGov poll, 51% of Ethiopians approve of Putin’s leadership.
8. Serbia
Serbia is a Balkan country that shares a strong cultural and religious affinity with Russia. The two countries are both predominantly Orthodox Christian and have supported each other on issues like Kosovo’s independence and NATO’s expansion. Serbia also benefits from Russian investments in its energy sector, as well as military and humanitarian aid. According to the Levada Center survey, 34% of Russians consider Serbia as one of their top five friends.
9. Venezuela
Venezuela is a Latin American country that has relied on Russia’s backing amid its political and economic crisis. Since 2006, Russia has supplied Venezuela with weapons, loans and technical assistance, and has opposed the US sanctions and intervention attempts against the socialist government of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela has also granted Russia access to its oil and gas reserves and has supported Russia’s stance on global issues. According to the Levada Center survey, 32% of Russians consider Venezuela as one of their top five friends
10. Cuba
Cuba is a Caribbean island that has a long-standing alliance with Russia. The two countries were close allies during the Cold War, when Cuba received Soviet economic and military support in exchange for hosting Soviet missiles and troops. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba and Russia maintained their political and ideological solidarity, and resumed their economic and security cooperation in the 21st century. Cuba has also defended Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere. According to the Levada Center survey, 31% of Russians consider Cuba as one of their top five friends.onclusion
Russia is a country that has many friends around the world, especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These countries support Russia for various reasons, such as historical ties, economic interests, strategic partnership, ideological affinity or opposition to the West. However, these friendships are not always stable or reciprocal and may face challenges or changes in the future.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Why is Belarus the closest ally of Russia? A: Belarus is the closest ally of Russia because they share a common history, culture and language, and have formed a union state since 1999. Belarus depends on Russia for its economic and security needs, and has supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere.
Q: Why is China the most important partner of Russia in Asia? A: China is the most important partner of Russia in Asia because they have developed a strategic partnership based on mutual interests, such as balancing the US influence, expanding trade and investment, and cooperating on energy, technology and military affairs. China has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and has backed Russia’s position on issues like Iran, North Korea and Venezuela.
Q: Why is India another key ally of Russia in Asia? A: India is another key ally of Russia in Asia because they have a long-standing friendship that dates back to the Soviet era, when India received economic and military assistance from Moscow. Today, India remains one of the largest buyers of Russian weapons, and also cooperates with Russia on nuclear energy, space exploration and counter-terrorism. India has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine crisis, and has increased its engagement with Russia through discounted oil prices.
Q: Why is Kazakhstan a former Soviet republic that has maintained close ties with Russia? A: Kazakhstan is a former Soviet republic that has maintained close ties with Russia because they share a long border, a large ethnic Russian minority in Kazakhstan, and a membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, a regional integration project led by Moscow. Kazakhstan has supported Russia’s annexation of Crimea, but has also expressed concern over the Ukraine war and the rights of ethnic Kazakhs in Russia.
Q: Why is Syria a Middle Eastern country that owes its survival to Russia’s intervention? A: Syria is a Middle Eastern country that owes its survival to Russia’s intervention because since 2015, Russia has provided military and diplomatic support to Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which is fighting against various rebel groups and foreign powers in a civil war that started in 2011. Syria has granted Russia access to its naval and air bases, and has endorsed Russia’s role as a regional powerbroker.
Q: Why is Pakistan a South Asian country that has improved its relations with Russia in recent years? A: Pakistan is a South Asian country that has improved its relations with Russia in recent years because they have overcome their Cold War rivalry when Pakistan was allied with the US and China against the Soviet-backed India and Afghanistan. Today, Pakistan and Russia cooperate on security issues, such as fighting terrorism and stabilizing Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. Pakistan also seeks to diversify its sources of arms and energy from China and Saudi Arabia to Russia.
Q: Why is Ethiopia an African country that has a long history of friendship with Russia? A: Ethiopia is an African country that has a long history of friendship with Russia because they established diplomatic relations in 1898, and Ethiopia received Soviet support during its wars with Italy and Somalia in the 20th century. Ethiopia also adopted a socialist system under Mengistu Haile Mariam from 1974 to 1991, which was backed by Moscow. Today, Ethiopia and Russia cooperate on economic development, education and culture, and regional peace and security.
Q: Why is Serbia a Balkan country that shares a strong cultural and religious affinity with Russia? A: Serbia is a Balkan country that shares a strong cultural and religious affinity with Russia because they are both predominantly Orthodox Christian, and
