Vladimir Rozanskij

The 56th plenary assembly of the Bishops' Conference met in St Petersburg. Devote every effort to the defence of the Church's rights and religious freedom. Attention to the formation of candidates for the priesthood. The Church must be free from all forms of constraint and violence.

Summit of Turkish-speaking countries in Uzbekistan: Erdogan's creature for the rebirth of the "Ottoman dream". Ankara's pressure on Turkmenistan, still a mere observer. An integration process that has been going on since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The war in Ukraine could give the "Turkmen" bloc more relevance.

Nordic countries on the alert for Kremlin manoeuvres in the region. Norway targeted by Russian intelligence. Russia has long claimed much of the Arctic space. However, soldiers deployed in the north have been sent to fight in Ukraine. The weight of Sweden and Finland joining NATO.

Protests over the cession of the Kempir-Abad reservoir to the Uzbeks. The Kyrgyz president wants to close a front to focus on the border dispute with Tajikistan. Activists accuse him of using the nationalist card to silence opponents. Also in the crosshairs of critics for cases of corruption.

They gather in the woods to propitiate the end of the conflict in Ukraine. The authorities tighten controls on prayer meetings: they fear separatist drifts. For the Mari celebrants, "one can bless those who defend their land, not those who go out to kill the people of another people".

State requisition of assets privatised after the collapse of the USSR under consideration. The country is experiencing a crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine and related Western sanctions. Kaysin Khubiev and Ivan Tenjakov: return to centralised control the only way to promote the war economy desired by Putin.

Drastic police measure that left citizens without the possibility of stocking up on fresh food. State self-service shops have reportedly complained of the sale of damaged products, but there are also strong doubts as to how the checks are carried out. In Transparency International's ranking, Turkmenistan is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

According to supporters it is a prerequisite to preserve the local language and culture. Independents against the 'mad centralisation and militarisation' of Russia. Separatist sentiments also on the part of Bashkars, Hertzians, Buriates and Chechens.

The biggest push comes from Uzbek President Mirziyoyev. Security, Afghanistan and rights at the centre of the meeting between Central Asian and EU leaders. Tashkent proposes the creation of an economic cooperation committee between the two regions.

Six will run in the 20 November vote, including the incumbent president. Interest in 48-year-old Karakat Abden, who represents social workers. The 'against all' voting option remains as a 'release valve' for voters. Few protests from excluded candidates.

The process, promoted mainly by Erdogan's Turkey, received a further boost after the start of Putin's aggression against Ukraine. Language seen as the ultimate integrator of political and ideological significance.

The comparison made by EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell sparks criticism. Hermitage Director: 'Everyone cultivates their own garden'. According to the academic, the war in Ukraine responds to a problem of survival: better the Soviet "greenhouse" than the capitalist jungle.