Is this the spark that wrecks Putin’s axis of evil? How panicked allies are stabbing Vlad in back to stop ‘endless war’

VLADIMIR Putin could be backstabbed by his closest allies if the bloodthirsty tyrant’s “failed” war in Ukraine drags on. One key partner has already delivered a humiliating blow to the despot’s face on the global stage by demanding an end to his senseless invasion. Putin losing his closest allies could unravel his regime Credit: AP Putin was told by Modi on Tuesday to end the war Credit: Newspix Indian prime minister Narendra Modi blasted the Kremlin despot on Tuesday by saying he needed to end the bloodshed “for the sake of humanity”. Modi’s stern words echo those of other crucial allies who are growing increasingly exhausted with Putin’s territorial ambitions. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! International affairs expert James Brown said this was “not the first time we have seen foreign leaders pressing Russia for an end to the war”. He told The Sun: “From their perspective, Putin has failed in his attempt to dominate Ukraine.” Modi also said during his scolding of the Russian dictator: “We need to move from an endless war to the end of the war.” Putin was seen removing his earpiece – used for translation – during the awkward exchange before replying: “Thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister. We are moving in that direction.” This week’s warnings are not the first time Modi has laid into Putin over the war. The Indian leader said in 2024: “A solution cannot be found on the battlefield… peace talks do not succeed amid bombs, guns, and bullets.” Most read in The Sun Putin was humiliated as Modi told him to end the war Credit: East2West It comes amid Russia’s barbaric war in Ukraine Credit: Reuters Several other regional leaders have also ordered Putin to stop the mindless bloodshed as their patience wears thin. Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared at a summit in July: “It is a shame; young people are dying… All this has to be stopped.” And Kyrgyzstan’s president Sadyr Japarov said shortly after the invasion began: “We advocate for peace and an immediate end to military actions through negotiation.” Even leaders within Putin’s axis of evil have called for an end to the war. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has repeatedly called for a ceasefire – though Beijing has played a key role in keeping Russia‘s war machine afloat. Kim Jong-un’s unwavering support has seen him send North Koreans to Russia Credit: AP Putin’s allies would turn on him if he ever used nuclear weapons on Ukraine Credit: Getty Since the start of the invasion in 2022, China’s economic support has served as a critical lifeline for Russia – effectively insulating Moscow from total financial collapse under the weight of Western sanctions. But these strong ties between Russia and China are mostly based on “convenience” rather than seeing eye to eye on Ukraine, geopolitics expert Kristina Spohr said. “Russia gets investments, and China gets access to raw materials and gets markets to sell its high tech,” she told The Sun. Because it has so many transactional relationships, Moscow could face being completely abandoned if it is no longer viewed as a priority by other nations. Brown said: “If Russia has less to offer in terms of energy and military technology, its support will diminish.” Putin also has “no real allies” in the same way Nato does because “no major countries are willing to fight for Russia”, he added. The expert explained: “Russia has partners of convenience, there are few shared principles, there is little sense of solidarity. “Instead, Russian partners, including China and India, will only support Russia so long as it suits their interests.” There is one clear red line Xi and Modi have consistently warned against – launching or threatening to use a nuclear weapon. The chilling prospect could even cause the Axis of Evil alliance – between China, North Korea and Russia – to unravel. Spohr said Putin’s few remaining friends would turn on him if he ever deployed an atomic weapon – a plausible but very unlikely scenario. She said: “When you talk about the use of a nuclear weapon, I think even Xi Jinping would be on his [Putin’s] case.” Brown said: “Were Russia to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, the Kremlin would quickly find that the policy of toleration from New Delhi and Beijing would quickly shift to opposition.” Xi removing Chinese support for Russia would leave Putin’s regime reeling and unable to continue its war in Ukraine. India also holds significant sway over Russia – as it has provided vital economic support by continuing to purchase Moscow’s oil. The two countries could render Moscow powerless by cutting off all aid and the supply of dual-use goods, Brown said. Putin’s crucial allies also include Belarus and North Korea. Kim Jong-un has sent tens of thousands of troops to fight for Russia, while Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko let Putin use his country as a launchpad for the initial invasion of Ukraine. Breaking down these partnerships may prove to be much harder than Russia’s relationships with superpowers like China and India. Asked if any world leaders were plotting to rethink their support for Russia, Brown said there were some signs. “So far it’s just nudges, including public indications that they are not happy with the continuation of the war,” he said. China expert Steve Tsang said it was difficult to see Xi betraying Putin as Beijing wants to coninue seeing the West being provoked. He told The Sun: “It’s hard to see Xi turning against Putin as Xi has found Putin’s disruption of the international order very helpful to his own global agenda.” Brown agreed that China wants to “protect Russia from a disorderly collapse.” The analyst said: “Were Putin toppled and a more pro-Western figure to take power, this would be bad news for China. “Compared with such a scenario, the continuation of the war is preferable.” As his fragile ties with world leaders are tested, Putin is also feeling increasingly isolated at home. The tyrant fears he will be hanged if he doesn’t declare victory soon in Ukraine, according to The Economist. To relieve this pressure, he is reportedly planning to draft 300,000 Russians to help pummel the frontline and capture the rest of the Donbas after elections this month. There are also reports of economic woes inside Russia which could cause the Kremlin dictator to increase his reliance on strategic partners like China and India. Swarms of Russians are scrambling to withdraw cash amid fears Putin may seize deposits to fuel his stalling war machine. For now, Beijing and New Delhi will keep playing both sides, dropping stern public warnings while continuing to prop up Moscow’s invasion. But if these fake friendships collapse, the isolated tyrant could be left totally exposed. Comment now