The ‘king of chocolate’ won with 54%; the so-called "fascists" took only 0.9%: the "Ukrainian Spring" is not just a "terrorist operation supported by the CIA". But the elections, openly democratic, are not everything: amid the clamor of European Union economics and the pro-Russian fold, there are groups and people who want to be heard.
The favorite for the presidency is the tycoon and former oligarch Petro Poroshenko, who has worked with Timoshenko and later Janoukovich . The urgent need to begin a dialogue with Russia and propose some form of autonomy for the Ukrainian regions . The prophecy of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn on resurgent nationalism . Putin must negotiate with the outgoing president , after bravado over the Crimea .
Clashes continue between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian forces in the east of the country. Moscow declares a "humanitarian catastrophe" and the risks to peace in Europe; Kiev blames "terrorists" for trying to overthrow the government. No one understands that the Ukrainian people are trying to affirm themselves, while the international community fumbles from a distance.
Kirill not present for Putin's great speech to the Duma. While Russia follows in the footsteps of the empire of Ivan the Terrible, the Orthodox Churches of Ukraine are pushed towards autonomy by Moscow. The Moscow Patriarchate risks being a minority in the next pan-Orthodox Council.
As Vladimir Putin and the United States increasingly threaten each other and the Crimea and Kyiv slam each other, the former oligarch shows understanding for both Ukrainians and Russians. Political and military perspectives should leave room for people-to-people talks.
The Ukrainian territory has always been fought over and occupied by Poles, Mongols, Russians. Tsar Putin’s claims too great, the European Union’s proposals too empty, the United States’ proclamations too confusing. The demise of ideologies and grand schemes and the emergence of people power.
After the Beslan massacre, an expert analyzes where Russia and the West is going in the confrontation with Islamic terrorism
Proselytism is a trivial problem compared to necessity of evangelising the world. A Russian expert analyses the results obtained by the Orthodox-Catholic Group.
Russia's re-elected president is the most convinced advocate of "New Russia", as he strives to synthesize a new national identity for his country one which is part communist and part czarist, half religious and half agnostic. It is an identity that is populist and at the same time liberal. His presidency marks the beginning of the Putin-generation.
Russian Orthodoxy seems to prefer conflict to unity with Rome. Cardinal Kasper's visit to Moscow marks the end of large-scale ecumenical projects. Below we report the analysis of an expert on contemporary Russia.
Christmas 2004: triumph of Aleksij and Orthodox policy
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
