Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin expressed enthusiasm for a potential visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the two discussed deepening their strategic partnership. The visit comes at a time of increased diplomatic activity in Europe, and is part of the growing relationship between Russia and China, which has included joint projects such as the construction of a high-speed railway.
Posts tagged as “Eastern European”
Chinese leader Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser Wang Yi is set to arrive in Moscow this week, coinciding with US President Joe Biden's visit to Ukraine. This trip comes at a time of strained relations between the US and China, and the timing of the two trips underscores the sharpening of geopolitical fault lines between the world's two superpowers. Wang Yi's visit is seen as an attempt by China to balance its diplomatic relations with both the US and Russia.
Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, has warned that Ukraine's available ammunition is critically low and Europe needs to take action quickly. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will be visiting Warsaw this week, and Borrell urged allies to provide Ukraine with more ammunition in the short-term. The European Union is now working to find a solution to the ammunition shortage in Ukraine.
US officials have noticed a "disturbing" trend of China providing non-lethal military assistance to Russia for use in Ukraine, which Vice President Kamala Harris alluded to during her recent visit to Europe. The US is concerned that China may be trying to provide lethal military aid without getting caught, and is monitoring the situation closely.
In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden spoke of his desire to find common ground with Republicans and highlighted some of their least popular policy proposals. He also discussed measures to create a “safer Europe” and a “blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America.” Biden’s speech was met with a standing ovation from Democrats and polite applause from Republicans, and it remains to be seen how his plans will be received by the public and if they will help him secure a second term in office.
In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden announced a package worth more than $2.17 billion to Ukraine, including longer-range missiles, tanks, and other military support. RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the parents of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers, were invited to the address to honor his memory and recognize the fight for racial justice. This package is part of the US' commitment to global security and stability, and a strong signal of support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Ira "Bob" Born, the "Father of Peeps" and executive of Just Born Quality Confections, passed away peacefully on Sunday. Born was born to Russian immigrant Sam Born, who founded the family-owned company shortly before his son's birth. He is best known for mechanizing the process to make marshmallow chicks, a popular Easter treat, and for his dedication to the company.
Three men have been charged with money laundering and murder-for-hire in a plot to kill an Iranian American author and activist, Masih Alinejad. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Rafat Amirov, Polad Omarov, and Khalid Mehdiyev in the Southern District of New York, and all three are currently in custody. Alinejad has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights in Iran and her courage in the face of danger has been an example to all.