Russia

At the Angelus Francis renewed his plea for an end to the ruinous war in Ukraine. “Faced with the barbarism of the killing of children, and of innocent and defenceless citizens, there are no strategic reasons that hold up,” he said. Calling on all dioceses in the world to devote more time to praying for peace, he turned his thoughts to refugees and Mariupol, the city that bears Mary’s name.

China imports nearly half of the gas, mostly in liquified form from Australia and the US. Only one gas pipeline connects Russia to China at present, but three are under construction. This will help China, but won’t be enough to compensate Russia for its loss of European markets.

The grotesque and tragic Russia described by Vladimir Sorokin in his 2006 novel “Day of the Oprichnik” unravels the tormented soul of a country that is always its own first enemy, and for this it needs to feel at war with all the others. It almost seems that the political and religious leaders of present-day Russia feel the duty to turn the nightmares of literature into facts.

In his latest speech at the end of the "Two Sessions", China’s incumbent premier is open to working with the United States to overcome the global economic crisis caused by the pandemic. For Beijing, striking a deal with Washington is better than a tactical "quasi-alliance" with Moscow. Confrontation with Washington is not paying off at a difficult time for the Chinese economy.

The Kremlin is seeking to strengthen its control of the CSTO, the political-military bloc that incorporates several former Soviet republics. Putin wants a right of "coordination". The member states have not yet ratified the changes demanded by Russia. In Kazakhstan, part of the population is asking to leave the alliance.

Used as a universal symbol of support for the Russian government and its "special military operation" on Ukrainian soil. An artificial sign of Putin's totalitarianism. But young Russians do not lend themselves to the regime's propaganda.

The Bishops' Conference backs an executive order signed by Duterte protecting people fleeing the conflict in Europe. Meanwhile, discontent is growing among Filipinos over the government’s failure to condemn Moscow in the name of its policy of neutrality. Concerns are fuelled by the dispute with China over maritime borders.

With 5,530 punitive measures, Russia is the most affected country in the world. The likely risk of becoming a global "financial pariah". Crises are expected in all sectors, from banking to construction. China will not be able to compensate for the lack of Russian gas and oil exports to Europe.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine are set to meet in Antalya. After 20 years, an Israeli president is travelling to Ankara on a state visit. In an economically vital region of ​​the world, Erdoğan is trying to reposition Turkey internationally. Russia knows that it will have to pay a price in the regions where the two countries are de facto allies.

The Chinese embassy suggested that Chinese citizens take trains to neighbouring countries. Chinese man shot and wounded: now in hospital. Beijing denies the death of Chinese students and continues to censor online anti-war speeches.

Head of delegation in Tehran for consultations. Pressure is growing for a breakthrough, perhaps a positive one, in the negotiations. EU says the ball is in the Islamic Republic's court, which must decide whether to finalise it. In the background is the invasion of Ukraine and Moscow's attempt to put the issue of sanctions on the balance of agreements.

Many Orthodox teachers, priests and artists are reacting to Patriarch Kirill's homily on war and the "moral invasions" of the West. These appeals were immediately censored and sanctioned in Russia, but spread by faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate living abroad. "The body of Christ that is the Church is being torn apart by the weapons of Russian soldiers". And they remember when Solzhenitsyn wrote: "I would not allow my children to take part in a conflict with the Ukrainians".