The overwhelming majority of countries in the Asia-Pacific have joined in the global condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But it’s not a universal reaction.
In the Asia-Pacific, only North Korea voted “no” on a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At the other end of the range, 14 regional countries co-sponsored the resolution — from Australia to Japan and South Korea to Singapore, as well as several Pacific Island nations.
Myanmar is an unusual case.
Its U.N. representative voted for the resolution, but he was appointed by the civilian government that was overthrown in a coup last year.
Myanmar’s ruling military government supports Russia.
Indonesia voted for the UN measure but was hesitant to condemn Russia as the aggressor.
Indonesia has bought fighter jets from Russia — and exports palm oil there, in a growing trade relationship.
Two-way trade between Russia and Vietnam now tops $4 billion a year. Defense spending is a big part of that.
Vietnam was one of 35 UN members which abstained from the resolution — along with China, Laos, Sri Lanka, several Central Asian countries, and Pakistan and India.
India will likely face continuing pressure from the U.S. to condemn Russia.
But Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government gets about half of its military equipment from Russia — including a new missile defense system — part of what it calls a strategic deterrence program against Pakistan and China.
