North Asia

Ankara has close relations with both sides of the conflict. The Turkish president seeks diplomatic success while the national economy suffocates The more conflicts arise in the former Soviet territories, the more Turkey benefits, relaunching its neo-Ottoman imperial plans.

Holy Week rituals and traditions are exploited in Russia and Ukraine. The mid-June Jerusalem meeting between the pope and the Moscow patriarch has been cancelled “until better times”. Going against the current, Metropolitan Onufriy's offers hope: “[T]he world lives for the sake of those righteous who have placed in their hearts the Risen Christ, the Strong and Mighty God, who made them strong and powerful. Such people sacrificially love the whole world”.

They do not want to live under Putin's regime, especially after the invasion of Ukraine. They mostly go to Armenia, Georgia and Turkey, and then move to Europe or the USA. With the flight of hi-tech giants, Russia risks technological paralysis.

Exports from Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam are way down. Western sanctions against Russia weigh heavily. Conversely, imports from Russia are up, mainly because of higher gas, oil and grain prices. The same goes for China.

Putin relies on Chinese support to save Moscow's economy from Western sanctions against the invasion of Ukraine. China and Russia united by opposition to the US and the West. However, theirs remains a tactical partnership, not a strategic alliance.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Japan and Russia must agree on cooperation fees for Japanese fishermen to be allowed to fish salmon and trout in Japan’s own exclusive economic zone. This year, negotiations have been delayed by political considerations and Japan’s fishing industry is in danger of collapse, especially in Hokkaido.

Fr. Fernando Vera will have to return to his native Mexico. With the invasion of Ukraine it is difficult to avoid the crime of "defamation of the authorities and the army". Religious driven out to ward off "foreign influences".

Francis' urbi et orbi message "in this Easter of war". An appeal for tormented Ukraine: "Stop flexing muscles while people are suffering ". A look at the world's other wounds, from Jerusalem to forgotten Yemen. Reconciliation for Myanmar plagued by hatred and violence and for Afghanistan in the throes of a humanitarian crisis.

Today's headlines: in Hong Kong, a pastor arrested for sedition; a Cambodian Catholic institute awarded environmental prize; Burmese junta arrests a hundred people in response to protests; Ukrainian prisoners and "deserter" soldiers locked up in Russian camps; Armenian minister in Moscow to conclude an agreement on the purchase of fuel in rubles.

From Mukachevo, Sister Ligy Payyappilly writes: in Ukraine, there are “many mothers who mourn their children just as Mary suffered before the Cross for her beloved Son.” For her, “the more this war goes on, the more innocent people will die”. Yet, “We believe and know that God is with us. Easter will come for us too.” So, “please continue to pray” for peace.

The flight of Ukraine war opponents is harming the pro-democracy camp at home. In the past 10 years, only one person, Alexei Navalny, has been able to reach out successfully to ordinary Russians. Presidential powers could be curbed if regional and local governments are no longer under presidential control.

Today's news: In China, online searches for ways to emigrate and escape the government’s zero-COVID policy hit a record; in Myanmar, the Church is negotiating with the military for the release of a priest and 13 worshippers; in Hong Kong, a law forces pet owners to hand over their animals if they are “suspected” of having COVID-19; the UN allocates funds for Yemen where there is some “light at the end of the tunnel”; more than 700,000 Ukrainians have been deported to Russia.