Russia

After eye-watering sums were spent to host the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Russia was banned, first for state-sponsored doping, then for invading Ukraine. A decade on, it is still licking its wounds

The knock-on effects of sanctions aimed at Russia after its invasion of Ukraine are still taking a toll, lifting local currencies in Georgia and Armenia and hurting exports

The jewel in the crown of the International North-South Transport Corridor which, links Russia with the Middle East, shows new forms of co-operation bringing trade breakthroughs. It may lead to more.

Analysts fear Russia will not back down, so now is a good time for Ukraine to start a peace process before a possible Trump presidency. Zelensky's recent comments seem to reflect this mentality shift.

Turkish and Syrian security officials are rumoured to have recently met at Latakia's Hmeimim air base under Russian auspices, where some cooperation agreements were reached

The outgoing Dutch prime minister is a staunch critic of the Kremlin. His appointment foreshadows a ramping up of NATO support for Ukraine amidst its war with Russia.

Showcasing his economy's resilience despite moves to isolate it, Russia's president was keen to attract potential trade allies at an important conference in St Petersburg.

Wagner mercenaries have worked with the Rapid Support Forces for years, trading weapons for gold, but Moscow's head seems to have been turned in its quest for a Red Sea naval base.

Visits to Beijing and Moscow from President Erdoğan's chief emissary suggest either that Turkey is bluffing, or that it may soon be the first NATO member to join a group dominated by Russia and China.