In an interview with the TASS news agency, also reported on the Moscow Patriarchate’s website, Ilya Kuzmenkov, vice-chairman of the Synodal Department for Church-Society Relations, discussed how biblical principles relate to entrepreneurship, competition and active love, and whether Orthodox ethics can exist within a market economy.
When Russian nationalism emerged as a political force at the end of the Soviet era, Orthodoxy was seen more as part of the nation’s cultural heritage than as a source of ideas. The role of the then abbot of the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow, who later became Metropolitan Tikhon in Crimea.
Moscow is particularly important for Azerbaijan’s non-oil exports, whilst Armenia remains its main trading partner and a major tourist destination. Supplies of wheat and fuel are essential for the Georgian market.
Just as in the ‘glorious’ days of Covid, a document on exit visas has suddenly appeared in Russia in recent days – likely inspired by the FSB – imposing new rules on travel to ‘hostile countries’. Travellers will only be permitted to go in tourist groups of at least 10 people, accompanied by an approved itinerary
In a new book based on an extensive series of interviews, Dmitry Travin traces the uncertain and contradictory evolution of those who came of age in Russia in the 1970s, living at the crossroads between the Soviet era and the period of opening up to the Western world.
Relations between Moscow’s eastern neighbours remain largely in limbo, as they seek to reduce their dependence without severing ties with Russia for good. Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Xi Jinping has, yet again, rejected Putin’s call to unblock the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline project.
The agreement on the repair of Soviet-made weapons came into effect this summer. Kabul is now one of the few opportunities for Russia to expand its influence abroad, with Tatarstan serving as a channel for economic and cultural cooperation.
Last year in Ulaanbaatar, for the first time, revenue from copper concentrate exports exceeded that from coal exports. This turning point has been fuelled by the rush towards artificial intelligence and the rise in electric vehicle production. And the government is now searching for new deposits.
What will happen to Kyiv’s economy when the war ceases to be the main obstacle, whilst its consequences – labour shortages, destroyed infrastructure, the need for capital and security risks – remain?
Despite much wrangling over borders or cultural heritage in the face of tragedy, the people of Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia are coming together to search for the missing or raise funds for the victims of natural disasters. Because their shared history prevails over old grudges.
The Burmese army has deployed hundreds of troops to areas in the south that have been forcibly liberated. Villages have been burnt and the surrounding land sealed off. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) backed by Moscow is planned for the area. A fighter jet raid struck a monastery in Sagaing, killing 14 civilians.
The taiga is burning beyond the Urals, the rivers in Tyumen and the Moscow region are full of dead fish, and there are oil spills in the Russian part of the Black Sea. Meanwhile, a large-scale investigation has identified 1,497 people accused of treason and espionage in Russia for actions linked to environmental protection.
On the anniversary of the 2008 Five-Day War, Russia has renewed its offer of “mediation” regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The parties have limited political channels, but trade and transport links are fully operational. The leadership of the Georgian Dream party is aiming to rebuild bridges.
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