Trump asks Putin to release information on Hunter Biden's dealings

[jw5]

Czechia follows Hungary​

Czech President Miloš Zeman is another pro-Putin European leader that has been forced to recant after the Ukrainian invasion, which Zeman argued was out of the question for Russia until the very end.

 

[jw5]

'A crime against peace'​

“Russia has committed a crime against peace,” declared Zeman, as quoted by Associated Press. Reuters, meanwhile, reported on February 24 that the Russian consulates in the Czech Republic would be forced to close down.

 

[jw5]

Almaty protests​

The former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, traditionally an ally and deeply dependent of Russia, has marked distance from Moscow and even allowed a pro-Ukrainian protest in Almaty, the country’s largest city.

 

[jw5]

Neither here nor there​

The country, NBC News reports, also denied a request from its troops to join Russian forces in the military operation in Ukraine.
Pictured: Vladimir Putin with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2018.

 

[jw5]

Between the East and the West​

Turkey, a member of NATO that shares deep economic ties with Russia, has done its best to keep a middle ground between the two.

 

[jw5]

An anti-Russian sanctuary​

On one hand, Turkey has been described as a “sanctuary to anti-war Russians” by Al Jazeera. Here you can see a pro-Ukrainian protest on March 5 in Istanbul.

 

[jw5]

Serving as a mediator​

On the other hand, the country has refused to press sanctions or close its airspace. Turkey’s unique position has functioned for its government to serve as a mediator of sorts between Moscow and Kyiv, as Al Jazeera highlights.

 

[jw5]

The enemy of my enemy​

India finds itself in a similar situation to Turkey’s. New Delhi and Moscow have historically shared good relations, united in part to certain antagonism to China, which has continued to blossom under Vladimir Putin and India’s PM Narendra Modi.

 

[jw5]

Abstained to vote​

India abstained to vote in a March 2 UN resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine, as reported by Vox, and it remains Russia’s biggest client when it comes to arms.

 

[steffychun]

Got any dirt on Kamala.

 

[jw5]

Peace effort​

Still, Modi contacted Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky in February, offering to “contribute in any way towards the peace effort”.

 

[jw5]

Shifting BRICS​

Elsewhere, Putin’s former allies have tried to cut their losses and fall in line, condemning the Ukrainian invasion. Brazilian right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro stated in the early days of the conflict that his country would remain “neutral”, as cited by Deutsche Welle.

 

[jw5]

An awkward visit​

Deutsche Welle points out that Bolsonaro had visited Putin just a few days before the invasion. Bolsonaro’s Vice President Hamilton Mourão was stronger in his condemnation of Russia’s actions and called for military support in Kyiv.

 

[jw5]

South Africa blames NATO​

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, meanwhile, has shown solidarity with Putin, blaming NATO's expansion for provoking the war, and affirmed that he would resist any calls to condemn Russia, according to Reuters.

 

[jw5]

'The war could have been avoided'​

"The war could have been avoided if NATO had heeded the warnings from amongst its own leaders and officials over the years that its eastward expansion would lead to greater, not less, instability in the region," Ramaphosa declared on parliament on March 17, as quoted by Reuters.
Pictured: Putin in South Africa in 2006.

 

[jw5]

Don't cry for me, Argentina​

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández, who in early February had offered his country to Putin as “the gateway of Russia to Latin America”, per France24, joined Brazil in voting to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations on March 2. South Africa abstained.

 

[jw5]

Former best friends​

Nonetheless, the biggest conundrum remains China and its President Xi Jinping. The Chinese leader has referred to Putin as “his best friend” in the past, and both have supported each other in the international landscape before.

 

[jw5]

A small favor​

China apparently asked Russia to delay the Ukrainian invasion to not clash with the 2022 Winter Olympics, according to The New York Times.

 

[jw5]

Backing out​

US President Joe Biden has tried to warn China it could face sanctions if it aids Russia in its military operation in Ukraine. Beijing so far remains neutral as much as possible.

 

[aerobwala]