Here is the situation as it stands on Sunday, April 2, 2023:

War, diplomacy

• Belarus and Moscow mark a day of unity, remembering a 1996 treaty aimed at forming a Union State of the two Slavic neighbours. Read here how the two countries have developed closer ties during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• With no suggestion of a negotiated end to the 13 months of fighting between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian defence minister said last week a spring counteroffensive could begin as soon as April. How will this offensive play out? Read here.
• Ukraine has branded Russia’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of April “a symbolic blow,” joining a chorus of outrage from Western countries.
• A court in Ukraine’s capital has sentenced a top religious leader to house arrest, according to his church, amid hearings into whether he glorified invading Russian forces and stoked religious divisions.
• The Wall Street Journal has demanded the immediate release of Moscow-based correspondent Evan Gershkovich, arrested by Russia’s FSB security service on suspicion of spying. The newspaper called the arrest “a vicious affront to a free press”.

• Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has promised to boost munitions supplies to Russian forces in Ukraine during a visit to the headquarters of Moscow’s troops fighting in the country, according to footage published by the Defence Ministry.
• Proposals to stop Russian companies from sending liquefied natural gas to European Union nations were welcomed by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.