Russia – backed into a corner of its own making

Putin’s plans for a rival political and economic bloc to counter US and western interests have taken a hit with both China and India voicing concerns over the Ukraine invasion. Narendra Modi, the Indian PM, told Putin that “today’s era is not an era of war” and is thought to prefer a position of ambiguity where he can be friends with both sides. And Putin acknowledged Xi’s “concerns” about the war in public remarks.  None of relationship charts betw