Which country was not an Axis power during World War II?

During World War II, the Axis powers consisted primarily of Germany, Italy, and Japan, who formed a military alliance against the Allied powers. These countries collaborated to expand their territories and promote their respective ideologies, primarily fascism and militarism.

Russia, or the Soviet Union, was initially in a non-aggression pact with Germany at the beginning of the war. However, this changed in 1941 when Germany invaded the Soviet Union, leading it to join the Allies in opposing the Axis powers. Thus, while Germany, Italy, and Japan were central figures in the Axis alliance, Russia was not part of this group and played a significant role on the opposing side during the conflict. This context solidifies the understanding that Russia is indeed the country that was not an Axis power during World War II.