At a time when Moscow is facing mounting antagonism from NATO over its military push and continued occupation of Georgian territory, Russia has received support from the Middle East, as Syria and the militant Palestinian movement Hamas defended its actions in the Caucasus.
Additionally, Russia's efforts to counter the threat of a U.S. missile defense network with the support of like-minded nations appeared to gain momentum, as Syria offered its soil to deploy Russia's long-range missiles and Russia and Belarus agreed on building a common air defense system.
The ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West also contributed to U.S. crude oil futures extending gains to more than $5 a barrel on Thursday.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Belarussian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko agreed Tuesday that a treaty to establish a joint air defense system in their territories should be signed as early as this autumn.
Visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed expanding Russia-Syria military ties with Medvedev Thursday, suggesting such an alliance could serve to counter-balance Moscow's current diplomatic isolation and could help Russia develop an adequate military response to what it sees as the threat of a planned U.S. missile shield in Eastern Europe.
Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was ready to consider Syria's request to purchase new weapons, but that it doesn't want to upset the balance of power in the region.
After ignoring stiff resistance from Moscow, Washington signed a deal Wednesday that enables it to install a missile defense system in Poland, which strengthens the defense capabilities of the United States and its European allies against potential threats from so-called "rogue states" such as Iran.
America plans to base 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar facility in the neighboring Czech Republic by 2011-13 to complete a defense system that also links the U.S., Greenland, and Britain.
Moscow considers it a security threat designed to undermine Russia's nuclear deterrent.
Adding to the mounting geo-political tension between the West and Russia, NATO decided Tuesday to take a tough stance against Russia over its reluctance to honor a cease-fire agreement that aimed at ending the fighting in Georgia.
Russia responded the next day by announcing that it is suspending military cooperation with the alliance.
In a meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi Thursday, al-Assad pledged his country's support against any attempts to "slander Russia or misrepresent its position in the conflict with Georgia." While saying his government "believes Russia was responding to the Georgian provocation," Assad termed the Russian leadership's decision to begin a withdrawal of troops from the breakaway region as "brave."
Syria, which is a regular target of U.S. criticism, has condemned Israel for supplying weapons to Georgia ahead of the war in South Ossetia.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem Thursday, Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni defended arms sales to Georgia.
Reacting to reports that Russia could possibly supply Syria with long-range missiles to deploy on its territory, Livi warned Moscow that such a move could destabilize the Middle East.
Also on Thursday, Hamas' political chief Khaled Mashaal said the militant and political Palestinian movement supports Russia in its actions against Georgia.
The Damascus-based leader justified Russia's right to protect its security and interests in the face of "rude provocation."
International criticism has mounted with each new day that Moscow delays pulling its troops out of Georgian territory in accordance with a ceasefire that ended the 10-day conflict.
However, Russia began pulling tanks and armor back over its border Thursday, pledging that all forces would leave Georgia's heartland by Friday night. Tbilisi said Moscow was determined to keep a grip on the country.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.