This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to send a clear message to Ukraine and Europe: Russia is not isolated and can continue its war effort thanks to powerful international friends. At events in China, Putin stood alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, the partners who have helped sustain his war in Ukraine.
Russia, more than three years into a war it expected to win quickly, now relies heavily on its partners. Chinese and Indian financial support, Iranian weapons, and manpower from North Korea have been critical in prolonging the conflict. Without these allies, Russia’s ability to maintain its war machine would be severely weakened.
The summit and military parade in Beijing carried a broader message: a united front against Western dominance. While these leaders do not necessarily share deep mutual trust, they recognize the chance to reshape the global order. For Europe, the sight of Putin standing confidently with powerful allies is a wake-up call to rethink its security strategies, especially amid doubts about US reliability.
Eroding Western Order, Strategic Support From China, India, And Iran Strengthens Russia
Analysts argue that the post-Cold War international order is unraveling. With the US retreating under Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda and Europe struggling with nationalism and economic strain, countries like Russia, China, and India see an opening to weaken Western influence. This moment, experts say, is viewed as a historic opportunity to “re-engineer” the global system.
Despite public claims of neutrality, China and India have become economic lifelines for Moscow. By purchasing discounted Russian oil and coal, they not only secure cheaper energy but also help Russia bypass sanctions. Beyond energy, Chinese and Indian firms supply dual-use technologies that bolster Russia’s military capabilities, underscoring their quiet but pivotal role in sustaining the Kremlin’s war effort.
Iran has played a key role in helping Moscow navigate sanctions and provided vital military technology, most notably the Shahed drones that have reshaped the battlefield. Despite this partnership, Tehran has discovered the limits of Russian support: Putin failed to assist Iran during recent clashes with Israel and the US, exposing the transactional nature of their alliance.
Pragmatic Alliances, European Defense Shifts, And Fragile Unity Reshape Global Power Balance
For North Korea, the partnership with Moscow is pragmatic. In exchange for Russia’s backing, Pyongyang provides manpower at a time when Russian forces face staggering losses. Unlike other nations, North Korea faces little internal resistance to sending troops abroad, making it uniquely positioned to supply fighters for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
The Beijing events underscored the urgency for Europe to adapt. Once hesitant, European nations are now making sweeping changes to their defense policies. Germany has rewritten its constitution to boost defense spending, while Sweden and Finland have abandoned neutrality to join NATO. These developments show Europe’s recognition of the new geopolitical reality shaped by Moscow’s alliances.
Ultimately, analysts caution against overstating the strength of this coalition. The relationships between Russia, China, India, Iran, and North Korea are pragmatic, rooted in mutual need and economic interest rather than genuine camaraderie. This fragile alignment could shift with changing interests, particularly during the remainder of Trump’s presidency. For now, however, the show of unity in Beijing signals a significant challenge to Western power.
