The state visit by China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to Russia highlights the close ties between the nations, a relationship that is increasingly crucial for Moscow as it is cut off from most of the West.

China is a critical trading partner for Russia, buying up much of its oil exports while selling large volumes of products used by Russian civilians and the military. It is one of a number of countries that have maintained good terms with Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine — some providing diplomatic or economic support, others military aid.

Here is a look at a few of them:

Belarus

Russia’s closest regional ally, Belarus became especially reliant on Moscow after it helped President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko crush antigovernment protests in 2020. Mr. Lukashenko allowed Russia to use his country as an initial staging ground to invade Ukraine last year, and Russia has used Belarusian territory to train and supply its troops.

India

A major buyer of crude oil, India has helped Moscow make up for the loss in sales to European countries that have sought to reduce their dependence on Russian oil. Friendly with both Ukraine and Russia, India has not condemned Russia’s invasion and has been seen as a potential peacemaker. Last week, a senior Indian official called on Europe to “find a solution” to the war, saying it was distracting from urgent issues facing the world’s poor.

Iran

Russia and Iran have edged closer, including by integrating their banking systems, as they try to work around Western sanctions that have thwarted both countries’ access to foreign capital. Tehran has also supplied military support, including exploding drones that Moscow has used to strike Ukrainian infrastructure, and U.S. officials have warned that the two countries were strengthening their military links into a “full-fledged defense partnership.”

North Korea

The United States has accused the reclusive government in Pyongyang of covertly sending millions of artillery shells and rockets to Russia, which North Korea denies. But North Korea has officially backed Russia’s invasion, blaming the United States for the conflict.

South Africa

Long friendly with Russia, South Africa has leaned into the alliance in the past year, provoking frustration from the United States and European nations. South Africa hosted military exercises involving Russia and China this year. Though it denies aiding the war, South Africa remains economically linked to Russia, and the United States has warned it against helping Moscow skirt sanctions.

Syria

Russia has had a strong military presence in Syria, helping President Bashar al-Assad stay in power, but has redeployed some of its troops there to Ukraine. Last week, Mr. al-Assad visited Moscow and emphasized his support for Russia’s invasion, using a meeting with Mr. Putin to parrot the Kremlin’s false line that Russian forces are fighting Ukrainian “Nazis.”

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