-If you would like me to add a section for a country not shown below, send me an ask and I’ll be happy to do that. I know I’m missing a lot.

-These are based on both history and the respective personalities of the characters. Therefore, relations may change in an AU, where history is not applicable. It also might be a bit different depending on how you portray your own character, since lots of people have different interpretations.

-I ship many pairings! So don’t be discouraged. Just ask. If the history isn’t compatible, we can work out an AU.

-AMERICA

Though allies during WWII, tension between the two was high during the Cold War (1947-1991). They fought constantly about whose ideas were right and were always trying to become more powerful than the other. They tried to convince each of their people about how horrible the other was. As a result of the border clashes between Russia and China in ‘69, China and America became closer because of their common enemy. This infuriated Russia and caused him to dislike America even more. Today, the hatred is gone, although Russia still finds America to be a bothersome, naive, and inexperienced nation who cares too much about other people’s business. He is annoyed to no end that America is always trying to spread his democracy, capitalism, and ideas of “freedom” to other countries. It even irks him that America and NATO invited former Soviet nations to join their military alliance. In other words, he doesn’t hate Alfred, but it’s not like he likes him, either.

-THE BALTICS 

(General post-Soviet relations with Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. I’ll probably end up making sections for the individual nations later, since he does behave differently around each.)

Personally, Ivan feels as if the Baltic States are still a part of him. Because of Russification from Soviet times, a good portion of the population in Baltic states are made up of ethnic Russians, and a majority of the people there speak Russian fluently. However, he knows not to cross the line with them, and keeps this sentiment to himself. The personifications still distrust and resent him, and therefore Ivan feels alienated and unsure of himself when around them. In addition, the Batlics have joined NATO, further distancing Ivan from them. He does not like being around them, but when he is, he tends to resort to cold politeness and nothing more. Sometimes he even takes on an aloof attitude towards them.

-BELARUS

Unlike canon, he is not terrified of her. He simply treats her like a sister (that is, with warmth and concern), though he is certainly not overprotective and tries not to be overbearing. He has a familial, platonic relationship with her. However, he tries to avoid her whenever she becomes too attached to him, believing it is for the best that way. Though they have been together as family for a long time, he thinks a union between them would be unnecessary and problematic - not to mention the fact that he has never viewed her in a romantic way in his life, and therefore considers the issue from a completely pragmatic standpoint.

-CHINA

I like to think that relationships between them started as early as the times of the Golden Horde, when both were under control of the Mongols. I still need to do some further research on this time period, though.

Ivan especially began to take interest in China during the Opium Wars. After conflict between Japan and China, he chose to side with Yao, despite previously being interested in Kiku. In 1896, the Li-Lobanov Treaty officially declared their alliance. 

Of course, their relations began to cool during the Boxer Revolution. However, after the establishment of the USSR (which China was the first to recognize), their relationship improved and flourished. They were especially united against Japan in the 30s.

During WWII and onwards, Russia and China were very close because of their alliance during the war, communist beliefs, and the signing of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship in 1950, through which China became started becoming dependent on Russia for aid.

Their relationship declined during the Sino-Soviet split (‘60-‘89). Though they were officially allies and good friends, their leaders began to argue as their interpretations of Marxism started to differ. Likewise, their relationship started becoming rather shallow; strained courtesy on the outside while in reality Ivan was completely lost and confused about where they actually stood. In the Sino-Soviet Border Conflict in ‘69, both China and Russia claimed parts of each others’ land to be their own. There was a shootout between them, and Ivan got the worst from the battle, but he countered that by building up a massive military force along the frontier. In addition, Ivan threatened China, hoping to intimidate him. It worked, but Yao began trying to improve relations with America instead. Alfred stepped in, warning Ivan that an attack on China could start another world-wide war. Ivan felt betrayed by this action, feeling as though China and America were joining sides against him, but ended up backing down. The Sino-Japanese peace treaty in 1978 also deepened this sense of betrayal towards China.

When Gorbachev took power in 1985, Russia’s foreign policy changed to one of cooperation. Russia and China made up (at first mostly because of the persistence of their governments to reestablish relations), their leaders started visiting each other, there were talks and compromises regarding the border, and trade between them increased. The Soviet Union collapsed, but relations remained friendly between the countries. Ivan still likes Yao, but he does not like to show it much after feeling so betrayed. Despite this, he may still show jealous tendencies at times, and he has his tender moments as well. Still, he is hesitant about romance and does not completely trust his emotions.

-INDIA

The two have had a close relationship since the 50s. During the 50s, Russia supported India when territory disputes came about, and provided both economic and military assistance - even more than was provided to China at that time. Russia also provided India with technology that had earlier been withheld from China. (Their relationship started growing at about the same time conflict with China started increasing.) This led to arguments between Ivan and Yao during the beginnings of the Sino-Soviet Split. Ivan and India were very close, and Ivan often tried to flaunt this in Yao’s face during their split. Though never “officially” in a relationship, Ivan considered India to be more than a friend many times, and often struggled with deciding who he really loved. To this day, they continue to be great friends (or maybe more than that). They’re like the best friends who know everything about each other and share every secret, and occasionally have those borderline are-they-just-really-close-or-are-they-going-out moments. This quote from Medvedev pretty much sums it up: “Our mutual ties of friendship are filled with sympathy, and trust, and openness. And we must say frankly that they were never overshadowed by disagreements or conflict.” 

-JAPAN

During Japan’s period of isolationism (1633-1853), Ivan made many attempts to befriend Kiku, all ending in failure. He had an interest in Japanese culture, and a strong desire to get to know the other empire. Though Japan eventually allowed Russian commerce, he went back on his word by the time the first Russian ship had arrived. Later, Ivan brought presents to Japan, but they were ignored and eventually returned. Diplomacy was finally reached in 1855, and their relations pretty good for a while. However, during the Opium Wars (1839-42, 1856-60), he started to focus on China instead. By the end of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95), Ivan had chosen to side with Yao and protect him from Japan. However, he was shocked by Japan’s power after the loss of the Russo-Japanese war in 1905. Though he previously looked down on the small nation, this set them on equal ground. A lingering feeling of rivalry remained after the war. After all, Ivan did not like being showed up by a small island while his memories of hermit-isolationist-kiku were still fresh in his mind. 

During WWI, they were allies only for convenience. Personal relations between Ivan and Kiku did not improve much. In addition, Japan was part of the Allied Intervention during the Bolshevik Revolution, and being communist himself, Ivan despised this. Later, relations continued to worsen as a result of WWII. 

The Sino-Japanese peace treaty (1978) also caused conflict, especially since Ivan had just experienced the Sino-Soviet Split. This was like a tongue-in-the-face to Ivan, almost at the same level as the Russo-Japanese War. 

Now, Ivan tries not to hold grudges, especially since his relations with Yao have since improved. He would consider Kiku a friend, but once in a while starts to feel bitterly toward him.

-KAZAKHSTAN

Ivan genuinely appreciates Kazakhstan’s friendly attitude towards him, since many post-Soviet states still resent him. In fact, of the post-Soviet states, Ivan’s relationship with Kazakhstan is one of the closest. In addition, Russia and Kazakhstan have strong military and economic ties. However, though they are close both geographically and personally, Ivan does not consider him to be family, since Kazakhstan became a part of the Russian Empire relatively late. In addition, their cultures are rather different. Therefore, Ivan counts Kazakhstan as a friend, but would not share deep thoughts or secrets with him.

-SEYCHELLES

Seychelles and Ivan are the broest of bros. Their relationship has been completely platonic, and is still relatively new compared to that of countries closer to Russia, so there’s not much mishy-moshy sentimental stuff getting it the way of them having fun together. (Although, during the fall of the Soviet Union, their relationship was a tad more somber.) Though Ivan dislikes the good relations between Seychelles and Alfred (and had in the past, especially during communist times), he keeps this to himself and has done a rather good job at not letting it interfere with their friendship. It’s just not a topic they bring up, and even if it is mentioned, they don’t linger on it for too long.