The Russian invasion of Ukraine has mobilised and unified Europe, the NATO alliance and the majority of countries in the UN. However key countries like India and Pakistan, South Africa and Nigeria and leading Middle Eastern countries and, above all, China have declined to take sides, at least openly. How these self-declared neutrals react to a continuing war will be crucial.

Link to article: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/ukraine-putin-india-pakistan-russia-invasion-b2036282.html

Sir Vince Cable is the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and served as Secretary of State for business, innovation and skills from 2010 to 2015. He records a regular podcast ‘Cable Comments’, expanding on the themes from this column. Link here https://www.independent.co.uk/author/vince-cable 

Vince’s new book ‘The Chinese Conundrum: Engagement or Conflict’ is available to buy online or from your local bookstore. Amazon, Bloomsbury, Waterstones, WHSmiths.

To find out more about Vince, go to www.vincecable.org

Follow him on Twitter: @vincecable

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