During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States confronted each other for many years, and the United States had many allies, and the Soviet Union certainly had many.
Soviet allies were widely distributed, including Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and even distant Africa. The Soviet Union and the United States have spent so many years, military strength is one, and the help of international allies is the second.
However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's allies became less and less, and even many of the Soviet unionists that were originally close to Russia fell directly to the West.
Why? The reason is mainly these four points.
First, the encirclement and blockade of the West
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia's strength was naturally no greater than before. Nevertheless, Russia still has a strong military power and vast territory, coupled with Russia's history of expansion and the Soviet Union's long pressure on Western Europe, so that the Western countries are not at ease.
For Western countries, it is not only necessary to continue to "keep a distance" from Russia, but also to expect Russia's strength to decline and have fewer allies.
Therefore, Western countries not only do not accept Russia, but also surround and block Russia, economic sanctions, NATO eastward expansion, Russia simply can not resist.
Second, the Soviet period has long since departed from Germany
Due to various differences, during the Soviet period, many allies fell out with the Soviet Union, and even after the relationship was eased, there were estrangements, such as Yugoslavia.
There are also some countries that have historical grievances with the Soviet Union (Russia).
Some of the countries were forced to join the Soviet Union.
For example, the three Baltic countries have always felt that they were invaded by the Soviet Union, and finally joined the Soviet Union under pressure.
These three countries, although small in size, have been doing well in their economies. During the Soviet period, the three Baltic states "aided" other Soviet unionist countries for a long time.
Two years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia began to withdraw its troops from the three Baltic states, and in 2002, the three countries joined NATO as they wished, which for them was a departure from Russia.
Third, the benefits are small
In many cases, the alliance (friend) relationship between countries is not simply the same view, but is based on interests.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union's allies received a lot of aid and received a lot of practical benefits. But after the dissolution of Russia, it cannot give its allies too many benefits, especially economic interests, and Russia's own economy is not doing well, let alone helping its allies.
In contrast, for most countries, making friends with the United States and the Entire Western world is clearly much more cost-effective.
As a result, in most cases, many countries that are not tolerated by the West have become Allies of Russia.
Russia's desire to control its allies is too strong
Being an ally with Russia is not only of little economic interest, but also vulnerable to Russia's manipulation.
Russia has an exaggerated and aggressive history of expansion, and because of its many historical grievances, Russia and many allies have some irreconcilable contradictions.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union had friction with some of its allies over some differences and disputes. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, conflicts broke out between Russia and Ukraine, and wars broke out with Georgia.
Ukraine and Russia belong to the same East Slavic state, but when the authorities can't control it, Russia should still strike when it is time to strike. Stalin was a Georgian, and the two countries used to have close relations, but when the two sides clashed in South Ossetia, Russia was not soft.
In this case, the allies who were supposed to have good relations with Russia are naturally not at the mercy of the people.