Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues.
Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians have fled the country. We will update the situation in Ukraine on the 2nd (Japan hours), including the status of the battle and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a 6-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine and Moscow, Russia)
Russia's New Foreign Policy Guiding Principles: Building a Countervailing Force to the West
The Russian government revised its basic foreign policy guidelines for the first time in seven years since 2016 and announced them on March 7, clarifying its confrontational stance with the West, saying, "The United States and other Western countries have launched a new hybrid war against the measures taken by Russia to protect its important national interests in Ukraine."
He also emphasized that "Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and one of the two major nuclear powers," and stated that it will aim to build a multipolar international order by placing emphasis on strengthening cooperation with countries such as China and India.
The Institute for War Studies, an American think tank, analyzed on March 31 that "the new basic guidelines are for Russia to build a potential anti-Western coalition," and pointed out that President Putin also encouraged him on the occasion of his summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month.
And since Russia will hold the presidency of the UN Security Council this month, it will present a new foreign policy before it and analyze that it wants to strengthen its efforts at the United Nations.
On the other hand, the Institute of War Studies observes that "Russia's economic and military power has declined due to the invasion of Ukraine, and countries have little reason to agree with Russia's proposal."
Russian Ministry of Defense urges increased production of weapons
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 1st that it had held a meeting on the supply of ammunition to the military, and Defense Minister Shoigu said that "we will strengthen our manufacturing capacity and increase precision-guided weapons along with conventional ammunition."
Defense Minister Shoigu inspected a weapons factory on March 28 and urged the domestic defense industry to increase weapons production as Western countries accelerate their military assistance to Ukraine.
Destroyed bridge to prevent Russian invasion of Kyiv as "remains"
Near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, there is a bridge that the Ukrainian side destroyed itself one year ago to stop the Russian invasion. In order to pass on the terrible experience of the Russian army, efforts are underway to preserve this bridge as a "remain" rather than removing it.
In Irpin, which is adjacent to Kyiv, work was underway to leave the bridge on the main road intact and build a new bridge next to it.
At that time, the Ukrainian side destroyed the bridge on its own to prevent the Russian invasion of the capital, so citizens had to cross to the other side, walking in cold rivers and on unstable boards. At one point, about 1,2000 civilians rushed in and waited for their turn to cross the river, fearing that they would be shelled.
Local councillor Taras Biazachenko, 44, and others appealed that the broken bridge should not be removed to tell the story of these horrific experiences, and the local council decided to preserve the bridge as a "remain."
As the Russian invasion has continued for more than a year, people are visiting the "remains" bridge and renewing their feelings of resistance.
"Many citizens wanted to keep the bridge, which was a symbol of resistance that stopped the Russian army and prevented the fall of Kyiv, and sacrificed for our freedom. It is also a 'path of life' that teaches us how so many people were saved."