Putin, Xi Jinping to Discuss Global Issues in Beijing; Iran Tensions Rise; Russia-China Ties Strengthen

Putin, Xi Jinping set to discuss key global issues during talks in Beijing

The meeting will be their second contact this year

Chinese man who met Putin in 2000 eager to build Russia-China friendship bridge

Peng Pai also revealed that it was a memorable encounter with Putin years ago that inspired him to pursue higher education in Russia

Some Gulf countries had no idea US planned to attack Iran on May 19 — media

As Donald Trump said earlier, he was asked to hold off by the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, who convinced him to give diplomacy another chance

Three plants for Volkswagen, Foton, and JAC brands to open in Uzbekistan by year-end

The announcement followed a meeting where President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to develop the automotive industry, expand production capacity, and enhance the sector's competitiveness

US may withdraw several hundred more troops from Europe — NATO commander

Alexus Grynkewich assured that it would not affect NATO’s defense plans

Russia, China concerned about confrontational policy of some countries — statement

Moscow and Beijing called for putting an end to attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of other states and undermine the existing security architecture in various parts of the world

EU pays highest amount for Russian LNG in over one year in March

The European Union purchased around 933 mln euros worth of LNG from Russia

EU might lengthen Russia sanctions renewal period from six months to one year — media

The EU leaders are set to discuss the timeframe extension in Brussels next month

US ready to let diplomacy try its luck in Iran situation until early next week — Trump

On Monday, the US leader announced his decision to postpone the resumption of operations against Iran at the request of Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, as a deal with Tehran remains possible

Cyberattacks on video platforms surged 35% in 2025 due to AI development — expert

The primary driver behind this accelerated growth is the active use of artificial intelligence by threat actors, Alexey Zhukov, Director of Information Security for Digital Assets at Gazprom-Media Holding, said

Latvia sets precedent by enabling strikes on Russia — expert

Ruslan Pankratov said that a new legal reality is emerging in which the territory of a NATO member state is being used as a bridgehead for strikes against Russia

US military intelligence believes Ukraine is delivering chaotic strikes on Russia

Ukrainian strikes lack the coordination, tempo, and concentration on critical Russian military infrastructure, according to a report compiled by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State and the Agency for International Development

US may need to deliver another 'big hit' on Iran — Trump

The US president said that he is not sure

Nine fast-neutron reactors to be built in Russia by 2042 — Rosatom

According to the statement, fast reactors with a closed fuel cycle are not just a means of increasing the efficiency of nuclear energy, but a prerequisite for its long-term existence

Baltic states to be punished for assisting Ukraine in attacking Russia — MP

Speaking about Lithuanian threats against Kaliningrad, Leonid Slutsky noted that by making such statements the "hotheads" in the Baltics "are drawing fire not only upon themselves, but also on Europe as a whole"

Qatar calls for respecting freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz

According to Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, contacts are currently being held at various levels to restore stability and ensure safe navigation in the Persian Gulf

Armenia not looking to stoke tensions with Russia — top diplomat

Ararat Mirzoyan noted that Armenia realized that it had to choose between the European Union and the EAEU

Lavrov sends another letter to UN chief in search of answers about Bucha — diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Moscow views the incident as a "deliberate fake" used to derail the peace talks in 2022

US continues to train Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets — report

According to the report issued by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State, and the Agency for International Development, the training commitments are coordinated by the Air Force Capability Coalition that the US co-leads with Denmark and the Netherlands

Trump briefed on military options against Iran on May 18 — Axios

According to information obtained by the news portal, the meeting was originally scheduled for May 19, with some officials expecting the US president to make a decision on potential strikes against the Islamic Republic during the consultations

Russia-China relations at unprecedented heights — Putin

The head of state emphasized that Moscow-Beijing relations served as an example of a genuinely comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation

Euroclear refuses to unfreeze Russian Central Bank’s assets: what is known

The decision is based on the fact that the Russian regulator’s claim against Euroclear Bank is not recognized under EU legislation, and "Euroclear does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction"

Russia-US dialogue could continue at APEC forum in China — Russian MFA

Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdyev says the platform is relevant for building a dialogue between major economies

One killed, 18 injured in Damascus explosion

According to the Defense Ministry, a car packed with explosives detonated in the Bab Sharqi neighborhood in eastern Old Damascus

Putin arrives at Great Hall of the People in Beijing for Russia-China talks

The venue is expected to host a Russia-China meeting involving key officials, talks between the two countries’ delegations, and Russian president's meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang

Russia considering projects with US investors as part of China partnership — RDIF chief

Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that Russia has the ability to provide the world’s cheapest energy for artificial intelligence

Air defenses destroy 56 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within another six-hour period

The ministry reported earlier in the day that it destroyed 70 Ukrainian UAVs over various Russian regions between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Moscow time

US investigates 56 cases of corruption and theft of American weapons in Ukraine

According to a report prepared by the inspectors general of the Pentagon, the State Department, and the now effectively dismantled US Agency for International Development, 13 other investigations have been closed

Donbass will do without Ukraine, hardly vice versa - experts

After the independence referendums in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions quite a few Ukrainian analysts said Ukraine should let them go

Russia to respond to aggression as Kiev plans to launch drones from Latvia — intel agency

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence reported that service members from the Ukrainian army’s Unmanned Systems Forces had been deployed to Latvia to prepare attacks on Russia from the Baltic country’s territory

UK authorizes import of diesel and jet fuel produced from Russian oil from third countries

The exceptions to the sanctions rules come into force on May 20 and are of an indefinite duration

Iran has no plans to withdraw from Non-Proliferation Treaty — senior Russian diplomat

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, despite the US-Israeli aggression and strikes on Iran's nuclear energy facilities, Tehran remains committed to its obligations under the treaty

Russia remains reliable energy supplier amid Middle East crisis — Putin

The head of state noted that Russian-Chinese cooperation in the energy sector served as a driving force of economic cooperation

NATO countries importing 'HIMARS clones' from South Korea to use against Russia — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, contracts are currently known to be in place for the supply of at least 290 systems of this type to Poland, 9 to Estonia, and 16 to Norway

Erdogan says Iran conflict 'devastating' global economy

The extent of the damage caused by the shockwave that has swept across the world like a tsunami cannot yet be accurately assessed, the Turkish president said

Russian troops liberate Volokhovka community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,175 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

G7 united in their policy of continuing sanctions pressure on Russia — French minister

Roland Lescure noted that the G7 countries had reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation in the face of dangers to the world economy

IN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on unprecedented level of ties with China and mutual support

The Russian president says that the two countries are ready to support each other on key issues, including the protection of sovereignty