Russia

An interfaith prayer was held in front of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, at the Russian Compound, in order to appeal to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to work for peace. A letter signed by 150 religious leaders was taped to the building’s walls. For Patriarch Pizzaballa, “the images that we are seeing from the media are terrible and not justifiable.”

The Uzbek government stands for Ukrainian independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity: it does not recognise the Kremlin's puppet republics in the Donbass. Western sanctions against Putin are also having an effect in Uzbekistan. Many Uzbek migrants are fleeing Russia and returning home, followed by many Russian citizens.

On 25 March Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to Mary's immaculate heart. Mobilisation of Catholics in 300 Russian parishes. The prayers of Ukrainians dedicated above all to the martyred Mariupol.

New heartfelt appeal at the Angelus to stop "chaos and atrocities" committed by bombings for which "there is no justification". The account of the wounds of the children, victims of this war, whom he met yesterday at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital. Renewed invitation to dioceses and faithful around the world to join him on Friday 25 in the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Historical revisionism and appeals to popular conscience can no longer justify one system against another, one country against another, one ideology against another. Whatever the outcome of the war will be, it will be a different world for everyone and not only for Russia and Ukraine.

In a new trial, the anti-Putin dissident attacks judges, accusing them of being subservient to power. From his prison cell, he criticises Ukraine invasion and expresses support for the journalist who denounced Russia's aggression on TV. He risks another 13 years of harsh prison regime.

Dalveer Bhandari, a former justice with the Supreme Court of India, backs the decision ordering Russia to stop military operations. The court rejects Russia’s claim that Ukraine is guilty of genocide. At the UN, India has abstained in resolutions against Russia to avoid condemning it.

It was scheduled for next autumn. Xi Jinping would need a "small victory" to secure a third term in power. Taipei cannot confirm the authenticity of the document, but it is credible, according to a well-known investigative journalist. After invasion of Ukraine, Taiwanese more ready to fight.

At the general audience, Francis quotes a prayer written in recent days by the archbishop of Naples on the war in Ukraine and asked the young people to pray for their peers forced to flee from the bombs. In his catechesis on old age, he recalled the style of Noah who denounced corruption "without recriminations, but safeguarding future generations".

Empty shelves: sugar is disappearing, a salad costs the same as a plate of oysters, and meat is now like gold. The authorities tell citizens that aid will arrive from China and Belarus. For the Russians, the current crisis is worse than the Covid-19 crisis.

Fears of US reprisals in case of Chinese aid to Moscow has sparked a sell-off of shares in Chinese hi-tech companies. The US National Security advisor issues a warning. For Yang Jiechi, “the situation in Ukraine has reached a point that the Chinese side does not want to see.” The Chinese are in "damage control" mode.

They have gathered in Moscow to support the Russian president in his war on Ukraine. A ritual "for the good of Russia". They say that as Russian citizens they do not have the right to criticise those who govern.