What to Know About the Summit Between Putin and Xi in China
When China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, hosts President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia this week, the two leaders are expected to present a united front. But they have different agendas.
Asian news from Ukraine
Time to establish a European Defense Fund
At a recent conference in London, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Olha Stefanishyna, gave a video speech that confirmed her government’s relief at the US Congress’s US$60 billion of military and humanitarian aid, help which comes many months late but still soon enough to make a crucial difference in the battle against Russia’s invasion.
Thursday Briefing: Slovakia’s Leader Was Shot
Robert Fico, Slovakia’s prime minister, was shot five times and critically wounded yesterday. Officials said the attack appeared to be an assassination attempt and was politically motivated. Police said a suspect had been detained.
Shooting of Slovak leader heightens war risk
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Europe’s toughest opponent of military backing for Ukraine, was shot multiple times May 15 by an as yet unidentified assailant. He was transported by helicopter to a trauma center at Banska Bystrica, where he is fighting for his life. His condition is not known.
On the eve of his visit to China, Putin says Russia is prepared to negotiate over Ukraine
BEIJING (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin says the Kremlin is prepared to negotiate over the conflict in Ukraine in an interview with Chinese media on the eve of visit to partner Beijing that has backed Moscow in its full-scale invasion of its neighbor.
Biden, Xi taking lumps for allies’ bad behavior
The United States and China are divided by many things, but the world’s two leading powers have one problem in common: Each of their presidents has trapped himself into supporting a close ally that has invaded a neighbor and whose forces are committing every day what many consider to be war crimes.
How Trump could push Japan, S Korea to go nuclear
Will a Donald Trump return to the White House lead to a nuclear arms race in Northeast Asia, beginning in South Korea and leading to Japan and even possibly to Taiwan? Of all the consequences of a Trump victory, this is the one that is least discussed openly in Tokyo. But behind closed doors, there is serious talk about this dark future.