South Korea and Vietnam have pledged to nearly double their bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030, as Vietnamese leader To Lam's state visit to South Korea this week revealed President Lee Jae-myung's new foreign policy direction for Southeast Asia. The two nations aim to deepen economic cooperation and expand military ties amid the US-China rivalry, with expanded arms sales on the cards.
US President Donald Trump will participate in a video conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and leaders from Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and the European Union at 1200 GMT. The meeting aims to counterbalance the upcoming Alaska summit, where Trump is expected to discuss Ukraine's participation in any deal. Senior European officials warn that a favorable agreement for Europe and Ukraine's security may be at risk due to concerns about provoking Trump's ire.
US President Donald Trump accepted a bilateral meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the Alaska summit, but not a trilateral meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy, as proposed by Putin. The US proposal aimed to gain a better understanding of how to end the war in Ukraine. Despite Russia's advances in eastern Ukraine, including capturing the town of Chasiv Yar, Ukraine's military recently retaken two villages in the Sumy region. European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, expressed concerns that Trump may reward Putin for his efforts to seize Ukrainian territory, with Orban calling Russia "the winner" of the war.
Russian officials continue to cite Ukraine's alleged discrimination against Russian speakers and NATO expansion as the "root cause" of the war, echoing demands made by Kremlin leaders in 2021 and 2022 for changes to NATO's open door policy and the removal of the current Ukrainian government. US President Donald Trump has stated that the US will not seek a U.S.-Russia agreement to end Russia's war against Ukraine during an upcoming summit in Alaska. Intelligence from Ukraine suggests that North Korea has deployed approximately 11,000 troops to support Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, with these soldiers primarily training at Russian facilities in western Russia, including the Kursk region.
The Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could be a turning point in the conflict, but its success hinges on several non-negotiable elements. Ukraine must be at the table to ensure sovereignty is not compromised. Robust security guarantees backed by a coalition of states are also crucial to prevent another invasion. Humanitarian issues, such as the return of abducted Ukrainian children, must be prioritized and resolved immediately. An international monitoring mechanism is necessary to oversee the implementation of any ceasefire and ensure compliance. The stakes are high, as breaking the post-Cold War security order could embolden Russia and encourage similar tactics in other regions.
US diplomats reaffirmed their commitment to both India and Pakistan, highlighting a shared goal of combating terrorism. Secretary Rubio, Vice President Vance, and top US leaders participated in a counter-terrorism dialogue in Islamabad, where they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats. The US-Pakistan relationship remains unchanged, with American diplomats committed to both nations. The US State Department has reaffirmed its commitment to both India and Pakistan, stating that Washington's ties with the two nations remain unchanged despite recent tensions. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce made this statement during a press briefing, following Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir's visit to the United States and his nuclear threats against India.
The US is vulnerable to economic security threats from China, which uses malign tactics such as intellectual property theft, coercive partnerships, and state-subsidized dumping to acquire advanced technologies and gain a competitive edge. Critics of export controls argue that they may limit access to China's large market, but this concern is overstated by those who downplay the risks to US national security and the integrity of technology markets.
India's tariff diplomacy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers a blueprint for other nations as it has navigated global pressures with resolve and pragmatism, positioning itself as a pivotal player in a multipolar world. India has safeguarded its economic interests while transforming external pressures into opportunities for growth and strategic autonomy. The country's approach is not about isolation but about building resilience through diversification, as noted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
India sharply reacted to remarks made by Pakistani General Musharraf during a farewell function for US CENTCOM head Michael Kurilla, criticizing Pakistan's nuclear policies and accusing the country of being hand-in-glove with terrorist groups. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that Pakistan's nuclear sabre-rattling is its stock-in-trade, drawing parallels between General Musharraf's comments and concerns over Pakistan's military ties to terrorists.