Are those sanctions starting to bite? On the surface, it's business as usual for a Russia that on Saturday took over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council and still enjoys plenty of support from the likes of China. But last week, President Vladimir Putin for the first time told his cabinet to expect trouble ahead.
While Europe has now come out of a mild winter and only mild discomfort from the cut in Russian gas, oil prices have failed to meet Moscow's expectations, with Russia already selling crude at a discount. We ask if that's about to change and whether Moscow can benefit. The fact is that those oil exports have continued, much to the delight of the likes of India. What's next on that score?
More broadly, how has the invasion of Ukraine affected Russia's standing amongst a developing world impacted by inflation and supply chain disruptions? A lot hinges on what happens now on the battlefield.
Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Meiqi An, Juliette Laurain and Guillaume Gougeon.
