Purely neutral allies

On March 24, the countries of the BRICS group condemned the sanctions against Russia. And three days later, they abstained from voting on the Crimean referendum at the UN.

On March 27, the UN General Assembly by a majority of votes recognized the referendum held in Crimea as null and void. Russia was supported by 10 very characteristic countries (see the list in the margins).

At first glance, the voting results resembled a Cold War picture: the developed world is on the side of the United States, the "third" is supporting Moscow. Moreover, Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, regarded the alignment of votes as "a certain moral and political victory." “There can no longer be any talk of isolating Russia in this situation,” he concluded.

But such an approach seems foolish. The most telling element of the East River vote is that only two CIS allies and rogue states ended up on Russia's side. While the four BRICS countries (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) unanimously abstained from voting. But before that, President Putin publicly thanked the leadership of China and India for their solidarity and understanding of Russia's actions in Crimea.

It is noteworthy that the BRICS group has already spoken out about sanctions against Russia by the West - this was done on March 24 at the summit in The Hague. The group’s foreign ministers adopted a statement there condemning “the growing use of hate speech, sanctions and counter-sanctions, as well as forceful methods” as not conducive to a peaceful settlement of the conflict over Crimea on the principles of international law. The BRICS countries believe that the problems that arise in various regions of the group countries should be resolved within the framework of the UN in a "calm and balanced environment."

However, the dissatisfaction expressed by the BRICS with the sanctions was perceived ambiguously in the world. As the old saying goes, some people see the glass as half full, others see it as half empty. For example, Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander categorically disagrees that Russia's BRICS partners supported Moscow's actions. The BRICS statement, the Canadian minister noted, refers to "opposition to the use of force," which clearly speaks of criticism of Russia. “BRICS, according to a Canadian diplomat who worked in Moscow, condemned Putin's actions, albeit rather hesitantly,” writes the Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail.

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The position of China, India, Brazil and South Africa should be taken not as support for Moscow's actions, but as declared neutrality

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Most likely, the position of China, India, Brazil and South Africa should be taken not as support for Moscow's actions, but as a clearly declared neutrality. During a meeting between US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week in The Hague, the Chinese leader categorically refused to comment on either Western sanctions or Moscow's actions in any way, and only called on the G7 leaders to show restraint and composure. This neutrality, most likely, will determine the essence of the BRICS position in relation to Moscow's actions.

Crimea as part of Russia has so far been recognized by Belarus, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Syria and Afghanistan. Moreover, Hamid Karzai's gesture was regarded by Republicans in the United States as a clear disrespect for the Obama administration, and not as solidarity with Moscow.

It is quite possible that recognition of the Crimean referendum will be limited to these countries. In the current geopolitical game, the stakes and risks are much higher than they were six years ago during the armed conflict between Russia and Georgia.