Section 6 Russia and Belarus, Central Asia and the Caucasus

1 Overview

The international community responded immediately to the outrageous act of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Protests were held around the world immediately after the aggression, and a draft resolution demanding the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops was adopted by a majority of 141 countries at an emergency special　session of the UN General Assembly on March 2. Severe sanctions against Russia were levied in quick succession, mainly by the G7 and EU countries, and support for Ukraine gradually strengthened. Furthermore, Europe, which imports many Russian energy resources, has been rapidly shrinking its economic ties with Russia, for example, by reducing its dependence on Russia. Foreign companies that had expanded into Russia also announced that they would suspend or withdraw their businesses. Direct flights between Russia, mainly from the G7 and EU countries, have been suspended, reducing the number of people traveling to and from Russia. Thus, in the wake of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, relations between the G7 and EU countries and Russia have reached a major turning point.

In response to this situation, Russia has taken a confrontational stance toward the G7 and EU countries and others that have imposed sanctions against it, while at the same time shifting its focus to maintaining and strengthening relations with China, India, Turkey, Central Asian and Caucasus countries (excluding Georgia, which has expressed support for Ukraine), and others that have friendly relations with Russia and have not imposed sanctions.

Regarding Belarus, the international community, led by the G7 and EU countries, strongly condemned it for supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine through the use of its own territory, and adopted sanctions against Belarus, including sanctions against President Alexander Lukashenko and other individuals and entities, and export control measures. In addition, the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted a resolution condemning the actions of the Belarusian government regarding the forced landing of a commercial aircraft flying over Belarus.

Regarding Central Asian and Caucasus countries, while they have close geopolitical and economic ties with Russia, they have maintained a neutral stance toward Russia's aggression against Ukraine (with the exception of Georgia). They are also struggling to cope with the impact on transportation routes for energy and other trade items and remittances from migrant workers in Russia.

This situation has drawn the attention of the international community to the Central Asian and Caucasus countries. Central Asia was on the agenda at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Münster in November, and Japan, the United States, the EU, the Republic of Korea, and other countries held summit- and ministerial-level meetings with the five Central Asian countries. In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Central Asia as the destination of his first overseas trip in about two years. Russia is conducting active diplomacy to maintain its centripetal power, including holding the first Central Asia-Russia summit meeting in October.