1.

Australia
At present, relations between the two countries have severely deteriorated following Russia's
involvement in Ukraine as well as the suspected involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines
Flight 17, which claimed the lives of 38 Australians. Relations were tested as Putin arrived for the 2014
G20 Summit in Brisbane, Queensland, among reports Russian warships were closing in on Australian
waters. According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 29% of Australians view Russia's influence
positively, with 53% expressing a negative view.

2. Brazil
The declaration established the two countries' commitment to global efforts to combat climate change
and the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the fight against corruption and terrorism and
cooperation between the two countries on issues such as oil and natural gas exploration.
Russia also demonstrated support for Brazil's candidacy to permanent membership of the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC).
After the meeting between the two presidents, Brazil's Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Aloysio Nunes)
and Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (Marcos Pereira), as well as the head of the Brazilian Federal
Revenue (Jorge Rachid), signed other acts related to their respective areas.
The agreements provide for initiatives on eliminating barriers to trade development, encouraging the
growth of trade and investment exchanges, and simplifying customs procedures.
Continuing that path, the former Vice-President of Brazil, José Alencar, traveled to Moscow on
September 2003, to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his senior cabinet members. The
two countries signed the Brazil-Russia Military Technology and Transfer Pact, an important agreement
in the area of space technology, missile defense, and military weapons transfer.
In response to an invitation made by the former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vladimir
Putin made a state visit to Brazil on November 22, 2004.
On October 18, 2005, during a state visit of President Lula to Moscow, Silva and Putin signed the
bilateral Brazil-Russia Strategic Alliance. As well as an agreement that made it possible for
the Brazilian Space Agency to send the first Brazilian astronaut, Marcos Pontes, into space
aboard Soyuz TMA-8.
On November 26, 2008, during a state visit of President Dmitry Medvedev to Brazil, the two countries
signed agreements on visa exemption, and cooperation in the aerospace, nuclear and defense industries.

3. Canada
Relations between Canada and Russia have considerably deteriorated as a result of the 2014 Crimean
Crisis. Canada has strongly condemned Russia's actions which led Canada to recall its ambassador
from Russia.
Growing domestic demand combined with vast natural resource wealth has made Russia a prime
destination for the export of Canadian goods and services and for new Canadian foreign direct
investment. To help facilitate closer economic ties between Canada and Russia, the governments of
both countries participate in the Canada-Russia Intergovernmental Economic Commission (IEC).
Working groups are active year-round in the areas of agri-food and agriculture, fuel and energy,
construction and housing, mining, and the Arctic and North.
Canada joined in the Western sanctions against Russia in the wake of what Ottawa still condemns
as the illegal annexation of Crimea. In March 2016, the sanctions were expanded with the addition of
two individuals and 10 business entities to the so-called ―black list.‖
Ottawa has taken a negative view of Russia’s military modernization. The liberal government has set
aside $350 million over the next three years for the deployment of Canadian troops and armor in Latvia
―to counter the threat of Russian aggression on Europe’s eastern flank.‖ Canada has also
expressed profound disagreement with Russia’s actions in Syria.
The "Law on Victims of Corrupt Foreign Government" would prevent Canadian firms from dealing
with foreign nationals who are ―responsible for, or complicit in, extrajudicial killings, torture, or other
gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.‖ The legislation aims Russia, Venezuela,
Iran, Vietnam and Myanmar. The Special Economic Measures Act in force does not allow the freezing
of assets of human rights violators in Canada. The Magnitsky bill would allow this. Russia has
repeatedly warned Canada against the adoption of the law. After the vote, the Russian Embassy in
Ottawa issued a statement saying that the parliament's decision ―was a deplorably confrontational act
blatantly interfering into Russia’s domestic affairs.‖ The statement said the ―hostile move‖ will be met
with ―reciprocal countermeasures,‖ although it was not specific.

4. China
Currently, China focuses on domestic weapon designs and manufacturing, while still importing certain
military products from Russia such as jet engines. Where indigenous capability still falls short, China
procures from Russia and, until local industry eventually bridges the gap, it hopes that quantity will
overcome quality.
Latest developments in May 2014 announced that China and Russia reached a 30-year gas deal where
"Russia would supply 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year to China". These developments
continue to show Russia and China's attempts to work together outside of USA confinements.
The first, most important joint statement , published on July 4 immediately after North Korea
conducted its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, dealt with the Korean Peninsula issue.
China had gained Russia’s support on the North Korea issue in May and both sides emphasized their
absolute positions on a ―non-military solution‖ multiple times.
The second joint statement, signed by Xi and Putin, is on the current world situation and major
international issues. The statement claims that both countries share the same view and position on these
issues, ranging from supporting internationalization and multilateral cooperation, to opposing terrorism
and weapons of mass destruction.

5. Egypt
Relations between the two countries have improved significantly following the July 2013 military
coupthat ousted Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi. Both countries have worked since then to
strengthen military and trade ties[5] among other aspects of bilateral cooperation.

6. Finland
"Finnish leaders and our current president want to keep dialogue with Russia, even through difficult
times, and the dialogue is quite open and direct" including on the subject of Ukraine.
 7. France
France has been the biggest investor in Russia for the past three years, with over a thousand French
enterprises operating in the country. France is also the number one foreign employer in Russia.
Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin have paid attention to those trends and have discussed them
publicly over recent months.
President Putin welcomed Macron’s statement, saying that Moscow and Paris are determined to
cooperate in resolving the crises in Syria, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula, as well as to fight
terrorism together.
Special mention should also be made of the politically ―sensitive‖ aerospace industry; cooperation in
this area started at the time of Charles de Gaulle and it is still advantageous for both countries today.
France has accused Russia directly of war crimes

8. Germany
Russian-German relations continue to be tense, with strong disagreements over the ongoing conflicts in
Ukraine and Syria. The two leaders have held frequent telephone conversations about the Minsk
Protocol, the agreement signed in 2015 which is meant to be the centerpiece of the now-stalled
Ukrainian peace process. But Ms. Merkel’s demands for more engagement from Moscow consistently
fell on deaf ears.

9. India
Russia and India have developed very significant ties in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Both countries concluded the Strategic Vision for Strengthening Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of
Atomic Energy in December 2014. Russia and India are also working together to build the
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) which will comprise of six individual units upon
completion.
Declaration of Strategic Partnership, 3 oct 200:
 cooperating in the fight against international terrorism, separatism, organised crime, and illegal
trafficking in narcotics
 cooperating in rendering mutual legal assistance in civil and criminal matters and in matters
relating to extradition, as well as in other related areas
 jointly exploring the possibilities of commercial application of the results of scientific and
technological research and development
 cooperating in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the peaceful use of outer space
 consolidating defence and military-technical cooperation in a long-term perspective
 deepening service-to-service cooperation
 closer cooperation at the United Nations, including its specialized agencies
 further intensifying their efforts aimed at strengthening international peace and security,
general and complete disarmament, systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear
weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating these weapons, nuclear
nonproliferation and the peaceful settlement of disputes
  joint initiatives on key international and regional issues; informing each other of planned
foreign policy initiatives in the international arena

10. Indonesia
In recent years, Russia has supplied the Indonesian military with various weapons systems, including
Sukhoi jet fighters, and last month the country sent a team to assist in the search for the black boxes
of AirAsia flight QZ8501. The plane crashed in the sea off Central Kalimantan, killing all on board.
The diplomat noted that cooperation in marine and shipbuilding infrastructure also has good prospects.
Indonesia wants to become a strong maritime power and Russia is offering many cooperation
possibilities in this field.
The Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Indonesia in 1950 and is one of the very few
countries to recognize Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands after World War II.

11. Italy
Russia and Italy have been expanding science cooperation, primarily in nuclear research, bio-
engineering, nanotechnologies and space exploration.
Russia enjoys close relations with Italy. In 2006, Russia and Italy signed a protocol of cooperation for
fighting crime and defending civil liberties.
Rome’s reluctance to step up confrontation with Moscow emerged clearly at the European Council
summit on Oct. 20-21. At the summit, the leaders of Germany, France and the United Kingdom tabled
a draft communiqué condemning the attacks of the Syrian and Russian air forces on Aleppo, where
over 250,000 civilians are trapped. The draft stated that the EU would consider all options, ―including
further restrictive measures‖ against the Syrian regime and its supporters (namely Russia) ―should the
current atrocities continue.‖
The other reason for Italy’s opposition to further sanctions against Russia is economic.

12. Japan
Putin said there were some aspects of the dispute that can already be addressed, including easing visa
restrictions for Japanese citizens to visit the disputed islands, and establishing economic cooperation
there.

13. Mexico
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Mexico continued to maintain diplomatic
relations with the newly created Russian Federation as the successor of the USSR. Since then, bilateral
relations between the two nations have steadily increased.
Mexico's main exports to Russia include: tequila, beer, beef and automobiles. Russian exports to
Mexico include: chemical based products, metals, helicopters and ammunition. Mexico is Russia's
third biggest trading partner in Latin America.
An agreement that is being considered in Mexico to abolish travel visas for tourists visiting both
countries.
 14. Netherlands
In October 2013, the ties between the countries were strained when a group of Greenpeace activists
were arrested during a protest on an Arctic oil rig owned by Gazprom.
Dutch minister of foreign affairs Frans Timmermans apologized later for the violation of the Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Subsequently, on October 15, the Dutch diplomat Onno
Elderenbosch was physically attacked in his apartment in Moscow by two men posing as electricians.
Since March 2014 the Netherlands participated in the European Union economic sanctions against
Russia due to the Ukraine crisis. In August 2014 Russia installed a retaliatory boycott of EU
agricultural products.
Relations were further strained when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, an airliner carrying 193 Dutch
nationals, was shot down over Ukraine allegedly by Pro-Russian (antimaydan coup junta) separatist
forces using a UAF BUK missile launcher.
Russia and the Netherlands are traditionally important economic partners. The Netherlands is the
second in the world and first in Europe Russia’s trade partner and the second foreign direct investor.
The Netherlands exports primarily agricultural products, food, chemical industry goods, machines and
vehicles to Russia. Russia exports mineral resources and fuel, metals and metal goods to the
Netherlands.

15. North Korea

China and Russia, two of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the U.N. Security Council,
have diplomatic and economic ties with North Korea, and they are traditionally reluctant to push
Pyongyang into a corner.
Furthermore, there are limits to how far Russia would be willing to make concessions on the North
Korea issue. The launch of a regular ferry service between North Korea and Russia was delayed –
likely in response to ongoing tension on the Korean peninsula – but will eventually start. The route,
which will help strengthen the economic relationship between Russia and North Korea and undermine
international efforts to sanction the regime, is too good of an opportunity for Putin to indefinitely pass
on.
Yet while Russia has an interest in protecting North Korea, which started life as a Soviet satellite state,
it is not giving Pyongyang a free pass: it backed tougher United Nations sanctions against North Korea
over its nuclear tests last month.
A Russian company began routing North Korean internet traffic this month, giving Pyongyang a
second connection with the outside world besides China.
People familiar with elements of Kremlin thinking say that is because Russia flatly opposes regime
change in North Korea.
Russian politicians have repeatedly accused the United States of plotting so-called color revolutions
across the former Soviet Union and any U.S. talk of unseating any leader for whatever reason is
politically toxic in Moscow.
While condemning Pyongyang for what he called provocative nuclear tests, Putin told a forum last
month in the eastern Russian port of Vladivostok that he understood North Korea’s security concerns
about the United States and South Korea.
 ―(The North Koreans) know exactly how the situation developed in Iraq,‖ Putin told the
economic forum, saying Washington had used the false pretext that Baghdad had weapons of
mass destruction to destroy the country and its leadership.
―They know all that and see the possession of nuclear weapons and missile technology as
their only form of self-defense. Do you think they’re going to give that up?‖
Moscow’s assistance to Pyongyang has emerged not out of a desire to promote its nuclear program, but
because Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, sees Kim very much like he see his own country:
victims of a U.S.-led international system that tramples on their choices and sovereignty. Russia is
itself under international sanctions intended to punish Moscow for its military actions in Ukraine. For
Russia, sanctions that successfully force North Korea either to alter its military choices or lead to a
change in its leadership would set a dangerous precedent—the possibility of regime change anywhere
is never to be encouraged.

16. Norway
The environmentally devastating emissions from the Norilsk Nickel plant outside Nikel in
the Murmansk Oblast have for decades been an unresolved issue in Norway–Soviet, then Norway–
Russia relations.
Formerly there was a territorial dispute over the Barents Sea, but on 27 April 2010 Norway and Russia
officially resolved the territorial debate in the Barents Sea. A 2017 Kremlin maritime threat
assessment sent to President Vladimir Putin highlights Norway as potential cause of naval conflict.
―We consider that this step contradicts Norwegian policy of not deploying foreign military bases in the
country in times of peace,‖ the Russian embassy wrote in an statement to Reuters. The deployment last
January to practice winter warfare and cross-country skiing, and to participate in joint exercises,
marked the first foreign troops to be stationed in the NATO member country since the end of World
War Two.

17. Saudi Arabia

The Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the independent Saudi state, the Kingdom of the
Hejaz and Nejd and its Dependencies, which was renamed into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
in 1932.
Moscow and Riyadh worked together to secure a deal between OPEC and other oil producers to cut
output until the end of March 2018, helping support prices.
The two countries work together in space. Since 2000, Russian carrier rockets have launched
approximately 20 Saudi telecommunications and Earth remote sensing satellites.
In Syria, Riyadh supports rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s army, while Russian and Iranian
forces have sided with Assad. This leaves Moscow aligned with Saudi Arabia’s arch-rival Iran, whose
influence Riyadh fears is growing in the region.
Briefing the media after the talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov focused on the common
ground, saying the two leaders had agreed on the importance of fighting terrorism, finding peaceful
solutions to conflicts in the Middle East, and on the principle of territorial integrity.
 18. South Korea
Moscow and Seoul maintain fruitful cooperation between their security councils and governments.
Russia mostly exports raw materials, fuel and energy. The export items are as follows: crude oil and
crude products (22.6 percent), light distillates (21.2 percent), bituminous coal (16.7 percent), liquefied
natural gas (6.8 percent) and anthracite (3.3 percent). Moreover, Russia exports foods and agricultural
feedstock to South Korea. Alaska pollack, corn and seafood (crabs) account for 2.4, 2.3 and 1.6 percent
of exports, respectively.
Russia mostly imports the following goods from South Korea: machinery, equipment and
transportation systems (27.4 percent). Russia mostly imports cars (18.2 percent). It also imports car
components (8.1 percent), engineering goods (4.3 percent), with presses and related equipment
accounting for 1.5 percent.
South Korea and Russia are participants in the Six-party talks on the North Korea's nuclear
proliferation issue.
In November 2013, Russia and South Korea signed a visa-free travel regime agreement

19. Spain
In December 2000 the relations were strained by Spain' refusal to extradite fugitive banker and media
executive Vladimir Gusinsky. Gusinsky, arrested and released in Spain, emigrated to Israel in April
2001.
During the most recent state visit of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to Spain, in March 2009, two
countries signed an energy agreement giving Spanish companies greater access to Russian fossil fuels
in exchange to easing Spanish regulations regarding purchase of Spanish energy companies by Russian
businesses.
Officially, at the level of foreign and security policy, Russia’s actions in Ukraine have led Spain to
scale down its view of Russia as a potential strategic partner, watered down in the recent Foreign
Policy Strategy.
Russia and Spain cooperate in fighting against terrorism.

20. Sweden
Russian pressure on Stockholm has not only been linked with the highly critical stance taken by
Sweden’s government and public opinion on Russia’s policy, but also with the fact that Sweden has
been establishing closer co-operation with the USA and NATO. From Moscow’s point of view,
maintaining Sweden’s non-aligned status is crucial for Russia’s military dominance in the Baltic Sea
region. Moscow would like to force Sweden to remain neutral in case of conflict.
Another source of tension in the Russo-Swedish relations is Russia's recognition of the two breakaway
regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which broke away from Georgia after the 2008 war in South
Ossetia. Sweden's then-foreign minister Carl Bildt condemned Russia's actions, and compared it to that
of Adolf Hitler's pre-Second World War aggression.
 21. Switzerland
Since March 2009 Switzerland has represented Russia’s interests in Tbilisi and Georgia’s interests in
Moscow following the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia in 2008.
Switzerland and Russia regularly consult on human rights issues. Since 2003, bilateral consultations
have taken place on an annual basis in Switzerland and Russia alternately. The two countries also
regularly discuss regional conflicts.
On March 18, 1946, the USSR and Switzerland resumed diplomatic relations. On December 23, 1991,
Switzerland became one of the first countries to recognize the Russian Federation as the USSR's legal
successor.
In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated due to the crisis in Ukraine. In late July,
the EU and the US moved from targeted sanctions against specific individuals and companies
toward measures against whole sectors of the Russian economy. Switzerland did not join the EU
sanctions. However, it introduced restrictions that prevent circumventing sanctions through its
territory.

22. Turkey
The process of normalisation of ties between the two countries was started in June 2016 with Erdogan
expressing regret to Putin for the downing of the Russian warplane. Putin and Erdogan held a
telephonic conversation on 29 June which was described as being productive by Russian and Turkish
government officials. The Russian government later lifted the travel restrictions on Russian citizens
visiting Turkey and ordered normalisation of trade ties.
On 20 August 2016, Erdogan told his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko that Turkey would not
recognize the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea; calling it "Crimea's occupation".
On 28 August 2016, the Russian government stated on its website that its ban on charter flights from
Russia to Turkey, which it had announced on 28 November 2015, would no longer be in effect.
On 19 December 2016, Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot and killed in Ankara.
In February and July 2017, the two countries further normalised their ties through Syria peace talks
in Astana, Kazakhstan on the creation of de-escalation zones in the conflict region.
On 12 September 2017, Turkey announced that it had signed a deal to purchase the Russian S-400,
surface-to-air missile system.
In 28 September 2017, Russian president Vladimir Putin made an official visit to Ankara to meet with
his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This visit should demonstrate unity between the two powers
although a number of bilateral problems, such as import restrictions for consumer products, are still in
place.

23. UK
The British foreign minister called Russia a ―pariah state‖
The UK-Russia bilateral relationship has suffered from historical baggage even before the events in
Ukraine. The murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a former FSB officer turned UK citizen who was
poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 by two Russian citizens in 2006, ―probably‖ with state
authorization, caused irreversible tensions.
The UK was a bold advocate of sanctions on Russia through the EU, no doubt enabled by the fewer
economic and trade interdependencies Russia and the UK have compared to other European states. The
UK has also taken a leading role in some of the NATO reassurance measures in Eastern Europe,
leading a battle group of 800 troops in Estonia.
These examples show that the UK will be more concerned about handling its own foreign policy
standing among its allies rather than prioritizing restored relations with perceived adversaries.

24. USA
Following the collapse of the Viktor Yanukovych government in Ukraine in February 2014, Russia
annexed Crimea on the basis of a controversial referendum held on March 16, 2014. The U.S. had
submitted a UN Security Council resolution declaring the referendum illegal; it was vetoed by Russia
on March 15 with China abstaining and the other 13 Security Council members voting for the
resolution.
U.S. secretary of state John Kerry in early March 2014 answering the press questions about the
Russia's moves in Crimea said, "This is an act of aggression that is completely trumped up in terms of
its pretext. It's really 19th century behavior in the 21st century, and there is no way, to start with, that if
Russia persists in this, that the G8 countries are going to assemble in Sochi. That's a starter." On
March 24, 2014, the U.S. and its allies in the G8 political forum suspended Russia's membership
thereof. The decision was dismissed by Russia as inconsequential.
he U.S. presidential election campaign of 2016 saw the U.S. security officials accuse the Russian
government of being behind massive cyber-hackings and leaks that aimed at influencing the election
and discrediting the U.S. political system. The allegations were dismissed by Putin who said the idea
that Russia was favouring Donald Trump was a myth created by the Hillary Clinton campaign. The
background of tense relationship between Putin and Hillary Clinton was highlighted by U.S. press
during the election campaign.
In early March 2017, the U.S. military for the first time publicly accused Russia of having deployed a
land-based cruise missile (SSC-8) that they said violated the "spirit and intent" of the 1987
Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and posed a threat to NATO.
On 25 March 2017, the U.S. imposed new sanctions against eight Russian companies in connection
with the Iran, North Korea, Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA).
Russia protested on September 2, 2017, against a search it said U.S. officials were planning of a
Russian trade mission building in Washington D.C., shortly after the U.S., ″in the spirit of parity
invoked by the Russians″, demanded that Russia shut two of its diplomatic annexes (buildings) in
Washington D.C. and New York City as well as its Consulate General in San Francisco. The Russian
foreign ministry said the inspection would be "illegal" and an "unprecedented aggressive action"; it
also demanded that the U.S. ″immediately return the Russian diplomatic facilities″

25. Vietnam
Amid hostility towards migrant workers, around 600 Vietnamese were rounded up in Moscow and
placed in squalid conditions in tents while waiting to be deported from Russia in August 2013.
On January 9, 2009 a crowd of people in Moscow stabbed a Vietnamese student named Tang Quoc
Binh who was 21 years old and the wounds were fatal resulting in his death on January 10.
Vietnam praises Russia’s efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability round the world.