Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the global community to impose severe sanctions on Russia, citing the need to limit the country's military capabilities following a major Russian air attack on Ukraine. The European Union failed to approve an 18th package of sanctions against Russia at its summit this week, with Slovakia vetoing the proposal.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/982324-volodymyr-zelensky-called-for-tougher-sanctions-against-russiaSoutheast Asian countries, including fence-sitters, are increasingly viewing China as more reliable and predictable than their Western allies, despite pressure from Washington and NATO. This shift is attributed to China's perception as a rational, peaceful, and stabilizing force in the global order, contrasting with the erratic actions of the Trump administration. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong received this message during Xi Jinping's visit, echoing his earlier tour of Southeast Asia, where he emphasized the need for an equitable multipolar world against "unilateral bullying" and "tariff abuse".
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3316284/southeast-asia-increasingly-finds-china-more-reliable-and-predictable?module=top_story&pgtype=section#commentsAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may face pressure to increase defence spending to meet US demands as part of the AUKUS deal, which could also help alleviate tariffs imposed by the US on Australian imports. The Albanese government has set a target of 2.3% of GDP for defence spending by 2034, but this is below the 3% previously demanded by the Trump administration.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14859249/Anthony-Albanese-Donald-Trump-AUKUS.htmlThe Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has warned that resurgent US inflation could be a result of Donald Trump's trade policies, which are causing global vulnerabilities to worsen. According to General Manager Agustin Carstens, the American president's actions since taking office in January have exposed existing global weaknesses.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/capital-markets/tariffs-threaten-fed-with-real-inflation-headache-bis-says-1The Bank for International Settlements warns of deep fault lines in the global financial system due to trade tensions and geopolitics. Outgoing BIS head Agustín Carstens says the US-driven trade war and policy shifts are fraying the established economic order, entering a "new era of heightened uncertainty and unpredictability". The assessment comes ahead of US President Donald Trump's July 9 tariff deadline, as Carstens notes that friction between governments and central banks is almost by design.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40370255/world-economy-faces-pivotal-moment-bisBritain plans to appoint an envoy to help free its citizens detained abroad, following high-profile cases such as Alaa Abdel Fattah's imprisonment in Egypt and Jimmy Lai's detention in Hong Kong. The UK foreign ministry claims it continues to press these cases with governments, but relatives of detainees and human rights organizations say there is a lack of urgency and transparency.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/30/world/politics/uk-envoy-britons-held-abroad/China's economy is facing challenges including a prolonged debt crisis in the property sector, low consumption, and high youth unemployment. The country has been affected by US President Donald Trump's import tariffs since the start of the year, but a truce was reached with Beijing in May, with Trump stating that relations are improving.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/china-manufacturing-shrinks-in-june-despite-trade-war-respite-210909Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun criticized unilateralism and protectionism in the US under President Donald Trump, urging Beijing and the European Union to maintain peace and stability while safeguarding multilateralism and free trade. Wang Yi will meet with EU leaders, including Kaja Kallas and Jean-Noel Barrot, during his visit to Brussels, Berlin, and Paris. The war in Ukraine is likely a key topic of discussion, as China has been accused by Western governments of providing economic and diplomatic support to Russia. Trade tensions between Europe and China have escalated over issues such as unfair economic practices, tariffs on electric vehicle imports, and restrictions on rare earth exports, with China accusing the EU of "double standards".
https://www.geo.tv/latest/611632-chinas-top-diplomat-visits-europe-pitching-closer-ties-in-volatile-worldChinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun criticized unilateralism and protectionism in a speech, specifically targeting the US under President Donald Trump. He emphasized the need for Beijing and the European Union to maintain peace and stability, multilateralism, free trade, and international rules. Wang Yi will meet with EU leaders, including Kaja Kallas and Jean-Noel Barrot, to discuss strategic dialogue and address tensions over trade, particularly on electric vehicles and rare earths. The EU has imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, leading to retaliatory measures by China, which accuses the EU of "double standards".
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/chinas-top-diplomat-visits-europe-pitching-closer-ties-in-volatile-world/article_8abd1fdc-0b3f-5e4f-9c12-72e69cd6bd0d.html