PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Nice, France, to review bilateral cooperation in defence, technology, innovation, trade, security, space, and healthcare. The leaders agreed to elevate ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership and discussed strengthening supply chains and economic cooperation.
South Korea and Italy signed four MOUs during President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to Italy, aiming to boost cooperation in advanced industries, development projects in Africa, social economy, and support for SMEs. They also agreed on a "2026-2030 Korea-Italy Strategic Action Plan" to enhance communication and collaboration.
The US has imposed sanctions on Cuba's state-owned oil and gas company, Union Cuba-Petroleo (CUPET), under Executive Order 14404. This action follows positive bilateral talks between senior Chinese and Cuban officials on cooperation and party-to-party ties.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, nuclear power, defense, infrastructure, and AI. They also agreed to expand student exchange programs and plan events for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027.
Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus discussed current issues of further developing bilateral allied cooperation in a phone call.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Azerbaijani Ambassador Rahman Mustafayev met in Moscow to discuss bilateral cooperation, upcoming high-level contacts, and the restoration of cultural and humanitarian ties.
Russia's Prodintorg and Bangladesh's BADC have signed a contract for over 500,000 tons of potash fertilizers for 2026-2027, marking the largest fertilizer deal in the history of their bilateral cooperation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain held a phone call to discuss regional issues, including the Iran crisis, and bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, finance, and investment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain emphasized the need to accelerate a resolution to the Iranian crisis, considering the interests of all regional states. They also affirmed mutual determination to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, financial, investment, cultural, and humanitarian fields.
Syrian Minister Al-Shibani and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, and energy sectors. Efforts continue to establish a "Joint Coordination Committee" to advance outcomes from Salam's recent visit to Damascus.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping hailed "unprecedented" bilateral ties during a two-day state visit, signing over 40 agreements on trade, energy, and security. Bilateral trade exceeded $240 billion last year, with most transactions now in rubles and yuan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed a joint statement on enhancing strategic coordination and deepening cooperation in Beijing. The agreement covers technology and trade, and comes after US President Donald Trump's visit to China.
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin exchanged congratulatory letters ahead of Putin's visit to Beijing. The meeting follows Donald Trump's visit to China, highlighting Beijing's central diplomatic role. The deepening China-Russia relationship, marked by significant trade and energy deals, raises Western concerns.
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin exchanged congratulatory letters ahead of Putin's visit to Beijing. The visits of US and Russian presidents highlight China's growing diplomatic role, with deepening Sino-Russian ties raising Western concerns due to China's support for Russia amid the Ukraine war.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in energy, economy, and culture via phone, with plans to resume FTA negotiations and promote cultural exchanges.
Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and Indian FM Subrahmanyam Jaishankar discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, tech, and more, ahead of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, with Lavrov's 3-day visit including participation in the May 14-15 BRICS session to prepare for India's September BRICS summit.
The meeting is expected to address the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in various areas, as well as an exchange of views on pressing international issues
Vasily Osmakov and Abdulrazak Ismail discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, including in the military sphere
China sees an opportunity in Trump's upcoming visit, believing a transactional US president seeking a trade deal and Iranian cooperation might shift on Taiwan. Foreign minister Wang Yi linked Taiwan to broader bilateral cooperation in a call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Beijing hopes for reduced US arms sales following a $11bn package to Taiwan, while Xi Jinping has made unification his legacy. China prefers peaceful achievement of unification but has simulated blockades and increased military intimidation. Taiwan's population increasingly identifies as Taiwanese-only (63%), though many still see improving relations with China as pragmatic.
Russia’s new ambassador to North Macedonia, Dmitry Zykov, reports that bilateral cooperation remains minimal as most local officials avoid contact with Russian diplomats, though he notes the embassy faces no direct security threats.
Russia's Federation Council has ratified an agreement establishing the foundations of relations with Togo, signed in Moscow on November 19, 2025. The agreement aims to develop cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as combating terrorism and cybercrime.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call with Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov to discuss regional developments and bilateral cooperation. Cho expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's assistance in evacuating South Korean nationals from the Middle East last year amid Iran-Israel tensions. The ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in high-level exchanges and substantive collaboration.
The Philippines has emerged as the clearest example of what observers say is Japan’s shift towards a more active defence role abroad, with both countries deepening their military cooperation in areas ranging from joint drills to technological partnerships. Japanese forces are taking part for the first time in this year’s Balikatan military exercises hosted by the Philippines, while bilateral cooperation is set to expand after Tokyo eased its defence export rules on Tuesday. These activities...
Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, who is in Moscow on a working visit. The leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic, and humanitarian areas, as well as international and regional issues. Herminie was elected president on October 11 last year with 52.7% of the vote and inaugurated on October 26.
