Leaders of Five Major Economies Refuse To Condemn Putin

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden said that “the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.” However, that’s not entirely correct — China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa have not condemned Russia’s actions. China was the largest economic powerhouse not among those finding fault with Russia — even going so far as to insist the Russian army didn’t invade Ukraine. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro infuriated the Biden administration when he met with Putin in Moscow on Feb. 16. Brazil was part of Monday’s United Nations Security Council meeting on the Russian-Ukrainian issue, but its ambassador didn't mention Russia by name and didn't condemn the country’s antagonism towards Ukraine. India was also part of that meeting, and its ambassador echoed the Brazilian approach by not mentioning Russia by name nor criticizing its actions. The Indonesian government called for a renewed effort to secure a diplomatic solution but stopped short of sanctions on Russia. The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation issued a statement expressing it was “concerned” about the “ongoing tensions,” and urged all parties to “devote increased efforts to diplomacy.” However, it offered no specific condemnation of Russia and no specific defense for Ukraine.