China, Russia begin joint military drills
The news comes days after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 11 said that China is a "decisive enabler" of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
China
Belarus Weekly: China, Belarus conduct joint drills near NATO, Ukraine borders
Belarus joins the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia and China, aiming for political legitimacy and developing “anti-sanction measures.” Chinese and Belarusian militaries conduct joint drills near NATO and Ukraine borders. Dictator Alexander Lukashenko releases 18 political prisoners while adding 17 more to the list. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus
European allies ready to cut China investment over Russia backing, Biden says
"We have to make sure that (Chinese President Xi Jinping) understands there's a price to pay for undercutting both the Pacific basin as well as Europe, and it relates to Russia and dealing with Ukraine," U.S. President Joe Biden said during the NATO summit in the U.S. capital.
China rejects NATO assertion that it is 'decisive enabler' of Russia's war against Ukraine
The day before, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that alliance members agree that China is a "decisive enabler" of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
'China is a decisive enabler of Russia's illegal war against Ukraine,' Stoltenberg says
China as a threat to NATO's interests and security was mentioned in the joint member states' statement, which Stoltenberg called "the first time that all NATO members state this so clearly in an agreed document."
Orban calls China 'key power' in achieving peace in Ukraine on Beijing visit
Viktor Orban, whose country took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU earlier in the month, called the visit to Beijing a third step in his "peace mission."
Chinese military personnel arrive in Belarus for joint exercises
The exercises aim to "exchange experience, coordinate Belarusian and Chinese units, and create a foundation for the further development of Belarusian-Chinese relations in the field of joint training of troops," according to the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
Media: Russia faces difficulties with Chinese imports as Beijing tightens control
China has tightened export controls on military and dual-use products since July 1, the Moscow Times reported on July 5. This has already made it more difficult to deliver Chinese equipment and machinery to Russia, the Moscow Times reported, citing Russian importers.
Belarus joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia, China
Before Belarus joined, the organization consisted of nine member states, including China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Relations between Russia, China are 'at their best in history,' Xi, Putin says
Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated his support for Russia on the subject of its full-scale war on Ukraine, saying on the sidelines of the summit that China "has always stood on the right side of history."
One phone call from President Xi would end Russia's war, Finnish president says
Russia's reliance on China has developed to the point where Beijing could end a war with one phone call, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with Bloomberg.
Putin arrives in Kazakhstan for Russia-China-led summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on July 3 for regional security and defense discussions, according to the Kremlin. He is also set to hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from China and Turkey.
Allies believe China developing attack drones to aid Russia, Bloomberg reports
Chinese companies are allegedly developing attack drones similar to the Iranian-produced Shahed-type drone to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on July 2, citing European officials familiar with the matter.
Xi, Putin to participate in Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Astana
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who skipped Ukraine's peace summit in June, is expected to participate in the event in Astana as well, the U.N. in Kazakhstan reported on X.
Belarus Weekly: US designates Belarus as State Sponsor of Human Trafficking
Belarus signals willingness for border security talks as Poland mulls full border closure and turns to China for solutions amid intensified migration crisis. The U.S. designates Belarus as State Sponsor of Human Trafficking in a 2024 report, highlighting forced labor, complicity in abduction of Ukrainian children, and worsening migration
Opinion: The Putin-Kim pact is an opportunity for the West
June has been a busy month for Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a speech at Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he outlined his terms for peace negotiations with Ukraine and proposed establishing an alternative international security system in collaboration with China. A week later, during a two-day visit to
Opinion: The new EU leadership must unite on China
The European Union’s foreign policy will soon be under new management. While Ursula von der Leyen seems well positioned to carry on as European Commission president, there will be a new president of the European Council and a new foreign policy chief. They will inherit an unenviable agenda that
Russian subsidiary of Bank of China stops accepting payments from Russian banks, sources say
According to Kommersant's sources, Bank of China will refuse to accept payments from any sanctioned Russian bank starting on June 24.
Duda arrives in China to discuss trade, security in Europe
"The political component will be very important. We have a war in Ukraine, as well as a hybrid attack by Belarus on the Polish border," Polish President Andrzej Duda said before the trip on June 22.
US, China hold nuclear talks for first time in 5 years, Reuters reports
Informal discussions on nuclear weapons between the United States and China resumed in March for the first time in five years, Reuters first reported on June 21, with Beijing delegates assuring their American counterparts that they would not resort to using nuclear threats over Taiwan.
Russia, China found workarounds for payments despite sanctions, Reuters reports
After Vladimir Putin's visit to China, specially authorized smaller banks in border regions have enabled Russian entities to set up non-resident accounts with Chinese banks, Reuters wrote.
Japan sanctions China-based companies, other entities over support for Russia's aggression
Japan on June 21 for the first time announced sanctions against China-based companies over their support for Russian aggression.
China should also be concerned about Russia-North Korea pact, White House says
A recently signed partnership agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang should worry not only the U.S. but also China as it threatens to undermine the stability of the Korean peninsula, the White House said on June 20.
Ukraine may consider participating in China-led peace summit, ambassador says
Kyiv would consider participating in a Beijing-led peace conference with Russia's presence if the talks are based on the principles of the "U.N. Charter and international law," Ukraine's Ambassador to Singapore Kateryna Zelenko said in a media interview published on June 20.
Ukraine's peace summit falls short of engaging Global South — can Ukraine expand its coalition?
More than half of the signatories came from Europe. When counting other key Western allies outside of Europe – the U.S., Canada, and Australia – the disparity is even more stark.
China's support for Russia's war machine 'has to stop,' says Blinken
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China was providing support that enables "Russia to keep that defense industrial base going, to keep the war machine going, to keep the war going."
Stoltenberg: China should face consequences for its support of Russia
China should face consequences for its continued support of Russia amidst the ongoing war with Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 17.
Ukraine’s Peace Summit is over — what were its highs and lows?
Ukraine’s peace summit wrapped up on June 16 at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland after two days of discussions on three major aspects of Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan: nuclear safety, food security, and prisoner swaps. Just over 90 countries, a handful of organizations, and one observer took part
Switzerland wants to discuss peace summit results with Russia, China, other non-participants
The Swiss government intends to discuss the outcomes of the global peace summit with countries that have not attended, including Russia and China, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said on June 16.
Telegraph: NATO in talks to put more nuclear weapons on standby, Stoltenberg says
NATO countries are in discussions to deploy more nuclear weapons on standby, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Telegraph on June 16 as Russia continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons.
Finnish president urges China to convince Russia to end war in Ukraine
Finnish President Alexander Stubb called on Beijing to use its influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the war in Ukraine, reported Finnish media outlet Yle on June 15.
China likely skipped Ukraine's peace summit at Putin's request, Sullivan says
Beijing likely opted out of Ukraine's peace summit at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on June 15, according to the Associated Press.
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