American troop drawdown in Germany and Canada joins European summit

Joe Luke Barnes's 'Farewell to Russia' is a travel narrative based on journeys to each of the 15 post‑Soviet states conducted after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The book explores how these countries remember and live with the Soviet past, the generational shifts in attitudes toward Russia, and contemporary political, social and cultural life across the region. Barnes combines on-the-ground reporting, personal encounters and historical context to illuminate differences between capitals and peripheral areas, and the complex legacies of Russian influence. He highlights stories from places as varied as the Baltics, the Caucasus and Central Asia, noting local humour, driving habits and the everyday realities of post‑Soviet national identity. The book serves as both a portrait of a changing region and a reflection on the effects of Russia's recent aggression on its former republics.