Former Bolivian President Evo Morales has wished his “brother” Vladimir Putin a happy birthday with North Korean leader Kim Jung-un the only other world leader to do so.
Morales showed his support for the Russian President on his 70th birthday with Putin’s army floundering in its invasion of Ukraine where it has been forced into retreats in the east and south.
Russia ’s brutal attack on its neighbour has been widely condemned in the West but Putin has received some support from Morales, who was Bolivian leader for almost 14 years.
Morales offered his best wishes to Putin and attacked the United States and NATO.
He tweeted: “Congratulations to my brother the President of Russia Vladimir Putin on his birthday.
"The dignified, free and anti-imperialist peoples are with him in his fight against the armed interventionism of the United States and NATO. The world will find peace when the US stops killing.”
Morales remains in politics and is set to fight for the next general election in 2025 for his Socialist Movement party.
As President, Morales had close ties with Putin. Bolivia has commercial interests with Russia whose state nuclear agency has built a centre in the city of El Alto.
It is reported that Bolivia has to repay large debts each year to Russia for the centre where nuclear energy is being developed.
And Morales has spoken in the past about his support for Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
At the same time, North Korean leader Kim also sent a message to Putin on his birthday and congratulated him for “crushing the challenges and threats of the United States", local media has reported.
The birthday message continued: " Russia is reliably defending the dignity of the state and its fundamental interests from the challenges and threats by the US and its vassal forces.
"Such reality is unthinkable without your distinguished leadership and strong will."
Jong-un said the cooperation between North Korea and Russia has been strengthened recently like "never before."
Putin has become increasingly ostracised by the world community since the invasion of Ukraine and he was also one of the few world leaders not to receive an invitation to the Queen's funeral last month.
