As the war in Ukraine shows little sign of ending, new diplomatic moves from Washington are drawing global attention. Following a series of meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several European leaders, US President Donald Trump is now preparing for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky — a step many observers see as a potential breakthrough for peace.

The strategic partnership between the United States and India, once expected to serve as a key counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, is now facing unprecedented strain. During President Donald Trump’s second term, tensions over trade, Russian oil imports, and geopolitical differences have put the relationship under pressure and tested mutual trust.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula continues to intensify as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calls for a rapid expansion of the country’s nuclear capabilities, warning that joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea could act as a “spark for war.”

The historic meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the United States in Alaska concluded without groundbreaking joint statements. Yet, the aftermath revealed that the summit was far from “quiet.” Instead, it set off a chain reaction reshaping the global political and economic landscape, forcing Ukraine and European allies to quickly adjust to a new reality.

On August 18, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova declared that Moscow firmly rejects any scenario involving the deployment of NATO forces in Ukraine.

Relations between Israel and Australia have entered a new phase of confrontation after Tel Aviv announced the cancellation of visas for two Australian diplomats accredited to the Palestinian Authority. The move came shortly after Canberra denied entry to far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman and confirmed plans to recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.

On August 18, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make his second visit to the White House this year, in an effort to shift the unfavorable momentum for Kyiv following the Trump–Putin summit in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15.

The summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska, concluded without concrete agreements. However, the event is widely regarded as a turning point, breaking the years-long “frozen” state of U.S.–Russia relations and opening prospects for peace in Ukraine.

The high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska has sparked unease in Ukraine and across Europe. Yet in Beijing, the summit is being closely—and positively—watched. For China, Alaska is more than a discussion on Ukraine; it is a strategic test to gauge how President Trump bargains with other great powers, and a lesson that could shape Beijing’s approach to future US-China confrontations.

SoftBank Group, led by billionaire Masayoshi Son, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) of its popular payment app PayPay in the United States. The deal could raise more than $2 billion and value the fintech at over $10 billion, providing fresh capital for SoftBank’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence (AI).

CK Hutchison Holdings, the conglomerate led by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, has postponed the completion of its $23 billion global port sale until 2026. The deal includes two critical ports along the Panama Canal, underscoring rising geopolitical and regulatory challenges.

Starting October 2025, the U.S. will impose steep port fees on vessels owned or built by China, forcing global shipping companies to reroute fleets to avoid millions in additional costs.