Measures and Strategic Conception of Japan to Deal with the Russia–Ukraine Crisis

After the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, Japan wasted no time in advancing its national strategy and actively promoted shuttle diplomacy with the United States(U.S.), Europe, East Asia, and neighboring countries of Ukraine around sanctions against Russia based on strategic considerations and the goal of maximizing national interests. Japan regarded this conflict as an important opportunity for an international strategic game, in an attempt to move and overturn the postwar international order and reconstruct the new global order with the U.S., Europe, and Japan as the core countries dominating the military, science and technology, and economic spheres. In response to the crisis, Japan made a brief policy adjustment—from the initial hesitation to the imposition of active sanctions and pressure on Russia—to reverse the passive situation on the issue of the Four Northern Islands and weaken Russia’s strength. Japan also took the opportunity to promote the “China threat theory”;strengthen the quadrilateral mechanism between the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia;provoke regional confrontation;and try to gain a new Cold War dividend.

The Transformation of German Security Policy in the Context of the Russia–Ukraine Crisis

Germany has recently taken multiple actions to adjust its security policy: for instance, promoting re-militarization, increasing foreign military intervention and overseas operations, and adopting measures to comprehensively safeguard security in the domains of energy, supply chain, and ideology. Externally, such moves result directly from the threat of a hot war emanating from the Russia–Ukraine crisis. Germany is severely deficient in hard power and the rules and order on which it previously relied are proving increasingly ineffective. The nation is also witnessing a sharply rising sense of insecurity as its inter-system competition with nonWestern countries intensifies. Internally, the present policy shift represents a continuation of German foreign policy transformations initiated during the Merkel era. This change is strongly driven by the new ruling coalition, especially the Green Party, and is staunchly supported by the public. In the future, Germany will probably further normalize its military, intensify its confrontations with non-Western countries, and diversify its means of comprehensively safeguarding security. However, security-related policy transformation processes will be time-consuming and Germany’s investments will not immediately pay off. Traditionally, Germany tends toward the pragmatic and balanced implementation of policies. Thus, it is less likely to pursue military hegemony than to increasingly assume security responsibilities within the Western alliance.

Impact of the Russia–Ukraine Crisis on Global Food Security

The Russia–Ukraine crisis has hit hard the grain production and exports of both countries,weakening their positions on global food markets.Moreover,the crisis has resulted in a shortage of fertilizer supply and a sharp increase in fertilizer prices.Consequently,global food production is declining,prices are hitting record highs,and market structures are shifting.Overall,global food insecurity is worsening,which,on top of several other factors,could become permanent as an aftermath of the Russia–Ukraine crisis.Therefore,food insecurity has become a topical issue in global governance.Spiking food prices and the ensuing political turbulence in vulnerable countries have altered the balance of strength between developed and developing countries,aggravating the existing imbalance between them.Furthermore,major food-producing countries are using food as a weapon to increase their influence in a fresh round of strategic competition,adding more uncertainties to the once-in-a-century changes shaping the world today.

Assessment of Ecosystems Damages Caused by Russian War against Ukraine

The question of the impact of war on ecosystems still remains secondary in the internal and external policy of states, society and the agenda of international organizations. From the point of view of losses in monetary terms, the values of ecosystem damages obtained in the work, which are a consequence of the impact of hostilities on the environment, correspond to the annual budgets of the largest countries in the world or exceed them. The presented calculations significantly exceed the known normative methods, the use of which in the conditions of war is limited in space and time. Objective difficulties associated with the uncertainty of many processes of the development of ecological systems and their reaction to the multifactorial impact of war are also significant limitations. Therefore, as part of the study, a method of assessing the impact of war on the environment is proposed, which is based on the patterns of energy flows in ecosystems from the moment it is binding by producers. This made it possible to take into account in the calculations the principle of functional integrity of the ecological system, according to which the destruction or damage of the components of a functionally whole environment will necessarily cause negative phenomena in the development of ecological systems. The results are presented in the form of real values of ecological losses in energy and monetary equivalents, as consequences of the loss of ecosystem services. As the results of the research show, the minimum amount of damage to ecosystems from Russian tanks is 43,500 USD per day. Environmental damage from Russian fighter jets has been estimated at $1.5 billion per week since the start of the war. Noise from military operations causes losses of at least 2.3 billion US dollars per year. The obtained results create prerequisites for improving the system of ensuring environmental safety at the local, state, and international levels and transferring the obtained solutions into safety-shaping practice.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Challenges and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and HPV Vaccinations in Ukraine and Eastern Europe

Objectives: To identify the obstacles and issues that hinder effective cancer prevention efforts in Ukraine. The study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the barriers to cancer prevention, including both infrastructure and behavioral factors, and identify potential solutions to address these challenges. Study Design: Comprehensive literature review. Methods: The following databases were searched: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health). The keywords used in the search included “Cervical Cancer”, “Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV)”, “Ukraine”, “Eastern Europe”, “Healthcare Infrastructure in Disasters”, “Cervical Cancer Prevention”, “Pap Smear”, and “HPV Testing”. Results: A total of 3500 articles were screened. A total of 65 articles met the inclusion criteria. Limited public awareness and limited access to vaccination and screening, combined with inadequate treatment facilities lead to higher rates of cervical cancer. The COVID pandemic, war with Russia, and the Chernobyl disaster are significant factors for the low level of vaccination in Ukraine. Conclusion: The prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in Ukraine face significant challenges due to the inadequate HPV vaccination rates and screening by cytology. Efforts to improve funding and increase education of both the population and health care providers are necessary to increase interventions such as HPV vaccination, cervical cytology, and HPV testing to reduce cervical cancer rates in Ukraine.

War and Peace in Ukraine.A Legal-Linguistic Perspective

The current research overlaps a linguistic and a legal analysis of public international law in the Ukrainian case.Based on both official documents and public declarations,it explains the grounds for the wide range of understandings that the two common concepts-peace and war-may be bearing depending of the angle of looking at the matter and depending on the actor invoking them.The study develops the reasons likely to have been considered by President Putin when insisting to refer to the Russian military action started in Ukraine in February 2022 as“special military operation”instead of“war”and the cardinal difference in terms of legal impact for such a linguistic choice.It also builds on the elements which could serve as a basis for achieving a deal in obtaining peace in Ukraine,while tackling on the possible geopolitical,public communication and diplomatic hurdles,and offering clues for strategic analysis of the matter.

Individual alcohol consumption by the population of Russia versus regional living conditions

Background:There are substantial regional differences in drinking alcohol in Russia,both at the population and individual levels.However,the causes of these differences have not been studied yet.Objective:The goal of our study was to examine the effect of regional living conditions on individual alcohol consumption by the population of Russia.Methods:For the analysis,we used data from a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in 2013-2014.The final analytical sample included 18,130 people aged 25-64 years.We conducted the interviews face to face,based on which any drinking in the last year,as well as alcohol abuse,were considered as a response.Alcohol abuse was recorded when the respondent consumed 5.75 or more grams of pure ethanol per day(75th percentile of average daily alcohol consumption among alcohol drinkers).The assessment of the regional living conditions was accomplished via integral indexing,which was previously performed based on publicly available data for 2010-2014.Associations were assessed using generalized scoring equations with unchanging standard errors.The associations were expressed by odds ratios(OR)and 95%confidence intervals(C).Results:Deterioration of social conditions and increase in demographic depression in the region of residence increased the odds of any drinking(OR 1.51,95%CI:1.33 to 1.72,P<0.001 and OR 1.22,95%CI:1.05 to 1.41,P=0.oo9,respectively).The odds of alcohol abuse increased with the deterioration of social living conditions and the growth of the industrial development in the region:OR 1.35,95%CI:1.14 to 1.59,P<0.001 and OR 1.16,95%CI:1.05 to 1.28,P=0.002,respectively.Conclusion:Our analysis allowed assessing the impact of the regional living conditions on individual drinking alcohol in the population of Russia.

CIIS Delegation Visits Russia

From May 26 to 31,CIIS President Chen Bo led a delegation to Russia.During the visit,they participated in the 22nd China-Russia Bilateral Academic Seminar,hosted by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.The delegation also engaged in discussions with scholars from the Institute of World Economy and International Relations.

Exploring well-being disparities between urban and rural areas:A case study in the Stavropol Territory,Russia

Rural areas are crucial for a country’s sustainable economy.New strategies are needed to develop rural areas to improve the well-being of rural population and generate new job opportunities.This is especially important in countries where agricultural production accounts for a significant share of the gross product,such as Russia.In this study,we identified the key indicators of satisfaction and differences between rural and urban citizens based on their social,economic,and environmental backgrounds,and determined whether there are well-being disparities between rural and urban areas in the Stavropol Territory,Russia.We collected primary data through a survey based on the European Social Survey framework to investigate the potential differences between rural and urban areas.By computing the regional well-being index using principal component analysis,we found that there was no statistically significant difference in well-being between rural and urban areas.Results of key indicators showed that rural residents felt psychologically more comfortable and safer,assessed their family relationships better,and adhered more to traditions and customs.However,urban residents showed better economic and social conditions(e.g.,infrastructures,medical care,education,and Internet access).The results of this study imply that we can better understand the local needs,advantages,and unique qualities,thereby gaining insight into the effectiveness of government programs.Policy-makers and local authorities can consider targeted interventions based on the findings of this study and strive to enhance the well-being of both urban and rural residents.

Narrative Tools,Truth,and Fast Thinking in National Memory:A Mnemonic Standoff between Russia and the West over Ukraine

Putin’s forceful,almost contemptuous dismissal of warnings from U. S. and European leaders about the dangerous path he was pursuing led to anxious speclation about what lay behind it. After years of pursuing a pragmatic geopolitical game that was understandable,though not always appreciated by the West,Putin seemed to be operating in a different world. He had spent years courting acceptance in organizations like the G8,whose meeting he had planned on hosting in the new Sochi Winter Olympics setting,but in 2014 he seemed to be throwing everything away in pursuit of some sort of mission that few in the west understood.

The Volga River Is Russia’s Lifeline and in Need of Maintenance, Mitigation and Restoration

The Volga River flows entirely through Russia and the watershed includes three of the country’s ten largest cities. The river is the longest in Europe and western Russia’s principal waterway. The Volga River basin is home to approximately half of Russia’s population and occupies almost two-fifth of European Russia. It covers much of the Volga region and stretches 3530 kilometers from its source in the Valdai Hills to the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland water body. Its economic, cultural, and historic importance makes it one of the world’s greatest rivers. The Volga basin makes up 8 percent of the Russian territory. Stalingrad, located on the banks of the Volga River, has been described as the site of the greatest de-feat in the history of the German Army. It is often identified as the turning point on the Eastern Front of WWII, in the war against Germany, and in the entire WWII. The meeting point of the Eurasian Civilization was historically the Volga River. The river has some of the world’s largest reservoirs and is a major source of livelihood for millions of people. Many factories and cities empty their waste including sewage, industrial waste, fertilizers, and pesticides into the Volga River. Pollutants tend to settle in the reservoirs and contain several meters of heavily contaminated muck. The primary objectives are to assess lessons learned, manage, and restore the Volga River system lifeline in Russia.

The Formation of Russia-US-EU-China Multipolarity Relations under the Scenario of Ukraine Crisis in the Changing World

This paper is to analyze the changing formation of international security and economic system in the context of geopolitical expansion under the scenario of the Ukraine crisis. The author attempts to destruct the different interactions among Russia, EU, US, and China, founding that through the West economic sanctions the US are obstructing Russia＇s Eurasian policy and EU-Russian trade structures in many areas, especially in the energy sector. The US rebalancing policy might finish under the scenario of improved Russia-China relations because the US might improve their relations with China as well to implement their containment against Russia, whose geopolitical expansion toward Arctic Ocean, and with its developing the Russian Siberia, the Russian Far East Region as part of its global strategic deployment. Russia＇s global deployment is carried out through the integrated mechanism, such as, SCO, BRICS, and Eurasian Economic Union which will start to function in the January of 2015. China seems to be the biggest winner in this geopolitical struggle, because the new scenario of international events, such as Ukraine crisis and extremism of IS movement in Syria and Iraq have changed the target of NATO in the short-term period. The direction of intemational security is changing from the Cold War to anti-extremism-terrorism combat. Therefore, the new direction for Russia-US-EU-China reformulating their security relations will have the long-term influence on regional integration. Its seems to be that the information war and propaganda will be undergoing in the process of this geopolitical expansion gambling that can be seen in the new waves of the West economic sanctions against Russia and new threats from the international terrorism. In this paper, the author does not focus on the informational propaganda but tries to analyze the different characteristics of ambition and interactionamong Russia, EU, US, and China in the scenario of Ukraine crisis in the changing world.

Russia's Big Stone River

Activity 1.Think about the following questions and write down your answers before reading the text.1.What do you think are the cultural or historical significances of Big Stone River for the local people of Russia?2.Suppose you were a researcher studying Big Stone River,what aspects would you focus on and why?

CIIS Holds Seminar on Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Current International Situation

On March 24,CIIS held a seminar on the Russia-Ukraine conflict andthe current international situation.Moderated by CIIS President Xu Bu,the seminar was attended by former Chinese Ambassador to the US and to Japan Cui Tiankai as well as several renowned experts and scholars in relevant fields.Participants at the seminar concurred that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has not only triggered major changes to European politics and security but also brought about profound impacts to other regions of the globe,making world economic recovery and energy supplies more difficult.For the international community,the long-term solution lies in the adherence to mutual respect between countries and the establishment of a balanced,effective and sustainable security architecture.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict Weakens ASEAN Economic Prospects

Ifnot for the escalation of conflict between Russia and Ukraine,ASEAN countries would likely have enjoyed an even bigger boost in economic growth after COVID-19 restrictions eased.Now,they must grapple with extra uncertainty caused by a crisis over 8,000 kilometers away.

The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on global grain market and food security:Short-and long-term effects

Since the 24th February 2022,Russia has been conducting extensive air and missile strikes against the Ukraine military they have also been conducting concurrent ground offensives beyond Crimea and the Donbas breakaway entities.Recent reports highlighted that Russia has continually advanced in different maneuver axes and at present,no one can predict when and how the Ukraine conflict will end.For over three months,the conflict has greatly influenced the global economy and sounded the alarm bells for global food safety,especially to those countries which greatly depend on food and chemical fertilizer import from Russia and Ukraine,as well as those countries sensitive to food price variation shock.

Is Italy's textile economy shrinking by half due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict?

As a textile power,Italy’s fashion industry is highly developed,and the production capacity,export and market share of Italy’s T&C sector occupy an important position in Europe’s and even the world’s T&C sector,"Made in Italy"enjoys a worldwide reputation for its excellent quality and innovative spirit.

RESEARCH ARTICLE Sensitivity of Crude Oil Price Change to Major Global Factors and to Russian-Ukraine War Crisis

To assess the elasticity of crude oil price to global factors related to supply of crude oil and the US dollar exchange rate, the authors employed nonlinear models including flexible least squares, and maximum likelihood estimator, in addition to OLS regression mode;using yearly data from 1965 to 2021. The findings indicate change in oil prices due to 1% change in any of the explanatory variables, as follows: the effect of the US dollar depreciation rate, raise crude oil price/barrel by 71 US cents;and increase in OPEC production, decrease crude oil price by 82 US cents;a decrease in non-OPEC production, raise oil price by 4.78 US$. These results imply that, if a ban imposed on Russian crude oil export, and no increase in OPEC production to compensate Russian oil loss in the international markets, global crude oil price expected to rise by 88 US$ above its level before Russian-Ukraine crisis, meaning that crude oil price expected to rise at 160 US$ pbab. However, if OPEC members increase their output level by 10 million barrels per day to compensate the Russian oil loss, then global crude oil price is expected to stay at 102 US$ pb.

Modern experience of low-coal seams underground mining in Ukraine

Coal is the main energy resource in Ukraine. However geotechnological aspects of coal seams development and Ukrainian crisis have a negative influence on the mining industry. This article analyzes the experience in the development of very low and low-coal seams with 0.7–1.0 m thickness, as well as advanced technological solutions that allowed private coal enterprises, despite the difficult situation in the country, to maintain sufficient(more than 75% of all production) level of steam coal extraction for Ukrainian society. Given that Ukrainian's mining sector development is a huge task, we hope this review will add some discussions into the ongoing conversation.

Nature-Resource Potential of the Carpathian Region of Ukraine and Specificities of Its Use by Farming Enterprises

Method of nature-resource potential cost revaluation is suggested. The method proceeds from natural crop yield of Ukrainian lands provided that crops rotation is observed and lands are operated only mechanically with the use of no fertilizer. Nature-resource potential of Ukraine and its Carpathian Region are assessed in the aspect of administrative oblasts. Specificities of nature-resource potential’s use by farming enterprises are characterized. Peculiarities that effected upon formation of farming in Ukraine are reviewed. Indices of land availability are presented.