Vladimir Rozanskij

Kiev parliament debates toponymy law to delete references to Russia. Process started with "de-communistization." For Putin, the Ukrainian nation and its people never existed. The ambiguity of an undefined legacy remains.

The case of Marina Ovsjannikova is not isolated. Many have moved to Georgia or Central Asia. At most 10 percent of journalists and TV operators support the war in Ukraine. Those thinking of leaving dream of a visa from Poland and the US.

More than a Eurasian NATO, it is an instrument for Russian control of Central Asia. In 2020 it had a budget of 7 million dollars: Nato's was over 1 trillion. The outcome of the war in Ukraine will tell whether the organisation has a future.

For the Orthodox Patriarch Emeritus, Ukraine will defeat Russia. Attack on Moscow Patriarch Kirill, guilty of supporting Putin's intended invasion. To Pope Francis: we have nothing to fear from NATO. In future there will be only one national Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Worst figure since 1994. However, Putin keeps repeating that the country will resist Western sanctions. Underground deals to circumvent US and allied restrictions. Return to Soviet planning would be the real defeat of the "special military operation."

Serdar Berdymukhamedov tightens rules for women's clothing and appearance, with measures reminiscent of those imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Fines of up to half a month's salary for violators. Many Turkmen women begin defying bans.

In Putin's rhetoric, war can be "remade" if necessary. The memory of the graffiti left by Soviet soldiers on the walls of the German Bundestag in 1945. Invasion of Ukraine seen by Russians as defensive reaction to external pressure.

Kazakhstan wants to move to a more balanced system between the presidency and parliament. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are going in the opposite direction. In Uzbekistan, President Mirziyoyev wants to overcome the limit of two five-year terms.

The invasion of Ukraine ordered by the Russian president is running out of steam. The Kremlin has little to celebrate today, the day of the victory over Nazi Germany. Kiev on the counterattack. Moscow's general mobilization is impossible. Time is in favor of the Ukrainians.

Industrialists call for the re-legalization of "patriot companies", corporate boxes that allow unrestricted access to market dynamics. The State should take over the debts of companies in difficulty. Russian banks ready to insure companies for 2 trillion rubles.

The heirs of the Volga Bulgarians celebrate the awakening of the earth, the farmers' New Year. There are at least 100 thousand followers of the traditional "Tura" religion. Its elements are present in Russian Orthodoxy. They would have also inspired Lenin's "Communist Sabbath".

Tujgunaaly Abdraimov is an opponent of President Žaparov, linked to former head of state Atambaev. So far, anti-corruption efforts in the country have brought little result. Often tmoves are simply political vendettas.