The map of global participation in the sanctions against Russia suggests a new non-aligned movement might be on the rise.
By David Adler, The Guardian
On 2 March, as the number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s brutal invasion reached 1 million, the United Nations security council called an emergency session of the general assembly. There, 193 nations reviewed a resolution on Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine” and voted overwhelmingly to approve it: 141 votes in favor, 35 abstentions and just five votes against. Even some of Russia’s closest allies on the continent – Serbia, for example, or Hungary – voted to condemn the invasion. “The message of the general assembly is loud and clear,” said the UN secretary-general, António Guterres.
What exactly is that message? In recent days, many commentators have pointed to a global map of the UN resolution to demonstrate the unity of the west and the world in taking on the Putin government. But to make sense of the geopolitical consequences of the Russian invasion, we must look beyond the diplomatic theater of the general assembly to examine how these nations are actually engaged with the war in this phase of rapid escalation. And to do that, we should start with a very different map of the world – a map of global participation in the sanctions set against Russia by the United States and its allies.

The contrast between these maps could not be more striking. The US, the UK, Canada, South Korea, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, the EU: beyond this fortified coalition, very few nations have chosen to take part in the economic warfare set against the Putin government. On the contrary, many of the world’s largest nations – including China, India, Brazil, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, and even Nato ally Turkey – have refused to join in. “We will not blindly follow the steps taken by another country,” said Indonesia’s foreign ministry representative at a recent press conference.
Recent Posts
Shireen Abu Akleh’s Murder Not “Intentional,” Claims State Department
July 5, 2022
Take Action Now “The odds that those responsible for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh will be held to account are all but…
Joe Biden Is Faltering Amid The Biggest Challenges Of His Presidency
July 5, 2022
Take Action Now Joe Biden is not up to the task at hand By Eoin Higgins, The Flashpoint During the 2020 Democratic primary,…
Planned Parenthood Employees’ Push To Unionize Is More Urgent Than Ever
July 5, 2022
Take Action Now As Minnesota becomes a sanctuary state for abortion seekers, health care workers continue their union drive to…
Nuclear War Could Mean Annihilation, But Biden And Congress Are Messing Around
July 5, 2022
Take Action Now The Biden administration hasn’t just remained mum about current nuclear war dangers — it’s actively…