North Asia

A new bill under consideration by the Duma seeks to limit the right to hold religious services in private buildings in order to ‘prevent the spread of hostile radical ideas.’ All religious denominations, including the Russian Orthodox Church, are opposed to the bill. Protestant communities would be the most affected, as they have been unable to obtain land to build their own churches since Soviet times.

China has not allowed itself to be drawn into the controversy surrounding Trump's ambitions for Greenland. It is aware that in order to truly realise the “Arctic corridor”, it first needs to organise the logistics, identify viable routes and strengthen relations with Russia.

Four years after the invasion of Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia's veto has divided the European Union over the twentieth package of economic measures against Russia. This is a new chapter in the long history of sanctions that began in the Soviet era and reached its peak in the 1970s and 1980s. The central importance of the Druzhba (‘Friendship’) oil pipeline inaugurated in 1960.

A group of US Congressmen is pushing for the inclusion of members of the disbanded Wagner company, which has reorganised into smaller groups under the control of the Moscow Ministry of Defence, among foreign terrorist organisations. Among the countries where they are most active are Mali and the Central African Republic.

In 2025, municipal service rates increased by an average of 8-12%, and VAT also rose by 1.7% on January 1. This surge is leading to a sharp increase in the prices of consumer goods, including cucumbers, which are a staple on Russian tables. To stop this spiral, profound economic reforms would be needed, which are impossible with a state budget focused solely on military spending.

From art to design, fashion to cuisine: during Italian Week, cultural institutions and retailers of Italian products working in Mongolia offered the opportunity to familiarise oneself with Italian tradition and innovation in the city's museums and public spaces.

Russians have always lived with dvoeverie, the Christian and pagan "double faith," which appears not only in devotions and liturgical practices, but above all in the people's attitudes towards life's great challenges. This practice is widespread among soldiers sent to Ukraine, who place their hopes of victory in dark spirits rather than in missiles and drones.

Rumours are spreading in Russia about a possible transition of power in Grozny. Ramzan Kadyrov would like to impose one of his children as his successor, but the age limit for the presidency is 30, with his eldest daughter being 27 and his eldest son only 20. Among the other candidates in the background is 52-year-old General Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat brigade and well connected in Moscow's upper echelons

The story of the Sibir.Realii website on the battles of Aleksandr Sosnov and Albina Fateeva against the unbridled exploitation of natural resources and the business dealings of the oligarchs. Initiatives for which they had to endure visits from the FSB special services and other threats. Until they decided to emigrate to Armenia to protect their 15-year-old son.

Putin's ideologues preach that the original principles of civilisation and traditional values alone can effectively edify the country's future. Meanwhile, Patriarch Kirill argues that it is necessary to strengthen “not only state sovereignty, but also spiritual sovereignty”. To make Russia “a universal ark of salvation” for all.

Just as Modi discusses tariffs and oil purchases with Trump, the Valdai Club conference between Russia and India was held in the Indian capital to take stock of relations. Putin's men are focusing on long-standing relations with Delhi, calling for alliances with BRICS countries to be prioritised today.

Among the 15 delegates of Russian democratic forces abroad with whom the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has begun working are representatives of peoples such as the Udege, Buryats, Izorians and Komi. They say: ‘For many Europeans, it is shocking to learn that not everyone in Russia speaks Russian as their native language.’