As Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on, the Russian economy faces increasing isolation from months of tough sanctions. Trying to offset the consequences at home, Vladimir Putin is doing his best to cozy up to China ... one of the few remaining countries in the world that is openly friendly toward Russia. The two countries announced a new bridge of "special symbolic meaning" in hopes of boosting trade. This comes as the World Trade Organization is warning that the war could lead to a global food crisis that could last for years. There has been some speculation that Putin is focused on disrupting Ukraine's grain and wheat production and exports for the precise purpose of causing food shortages ... in the hopes that will lead to the international community pressuring the Ukrainians to sue for peace. No matter the motivation, Russia's war is causing reverberations far beyond the borders of Ukraine. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices