Diplomatic tensions rise as Russia meets with Western envoys, Iran and US exchange threats over Strait of Hormuz, and Ukraine conflict continues with drone attacks and military updates. Global powers navigate complex geopolitical landscape.
China has abruptly canceled two important diplomatic meetings in Beijing originally scheduled for this month, amid escalating trade friction with the EU. The cancellations, which include a ministerial-level digital affairs meeting and another involving a senior EU official, come as China's exports to the EU surge and Beijing attempts to block new EU measures restricting its exports.
President Xi Jinping visits North Korea to boost its economy and reaffirm bilateral ties, showcasing China's global confidence and efforts to counter Pyongyang's growing closeness to Moscow.
The U.S. and Chinese presidents are scheduled to gather in Beijing on Thursday and Friday amid a packed week of diplomatic meetings.
Cuba confirmed it recently met with US officials on the island—the first such diplomatic talks since 2016—as tensions remain high over the US energy blockade. Cuban officials said the US delegation included assistant secretaries of state, and that discussions focused on lifting the embargo, which Cuba calls economic coercion. The meetings occurred amid Trump's threats to tariff countries supplying oil to Cuba.
