Will the Trump-Putin summit deliver peace?
Alaska summit hope fades as Trump hardens line on Ukraine
James Davis reports that optimism for the US-Russia summit in Alaska is fading as President Donald Trump hardens his Ukraine stance. Meanwhile, Russian forces are making significant battlefield gains in Donbass and northern Ukraine, deepening Kiev's vulnerability.
Germany's structural decline accelerates as economy flashes red
Diego Faßnacht warns that Germany's economy is in structural decline, with July insolvency filings surging 19.2% year-on-year and bankruptcies rising across key sectors. Berlin faces a slow-motion industrial recession absent euro devaluation or deep structural reforms.
Ishiba holds ground as Japan frets over Taiwan's course
Scott Foster observes that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is consolidating support within the ruling LDP despite right-wing pressure to resign. Japanese media, meanwhile, is increasingly at odds with Taiwanese President William Lai's confrontational leadership style.
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South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China condemns Japanese ministers' tribute to war criminals at Yasukuni Shrine
China has expressed 'strong dissatisfaction' to Japan after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to a controversial shrine that honours war criminals on the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender. It was a 'blatant provocation against historical justice and human conscience', the Chinese foreign ministry said, referring to the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine on Friday by several Japanese cabinet members. 'To view and treat history correctly is an important prerequisite for Japan's post-war return to the international community and the political foundation for its relations with neighbouring countries,' the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. 'We urge Japan to face and deeply reflect on its history of aggression, act cautiously on issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine, and completely sever ties with militarism.' 06:06 Place of controversy: Japan's Yasukuni Shrine Place of controversy: Japan's Yasukuni Shrine Ishiba did not visit the shrine, but sent a religious ornament. However, several politicians from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as well as members of the ultranationalist 'Japan first' Sanseito went there in person. Those visiting included Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
RTHK
6 hours ago
- RTHK
'Russia will not give Ukraine security guarantee'
'Russia will not give Ukraine security guarantee' Volodymyr Zelensky (left) will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, accompanied by Ursula von der Leyen (right) and other European leaders. Photo: Reuters Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday rejected the idea of Russia offering his country security guarantees, after US and EU officials promoted the possibility. White House envoy Steve Witkoff earlier said US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to "robust security guarantees" for Ukraine during a meeting in Alaska on Friday. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday hailed the proposal as an offer of NATO-style security guarantees from the United States. "We welcome President Trump's willingness to contribute to (NATO) Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine, and the coalition of the willing, including the European Union, is ready to do its share," von der Leyen said. Zelensky also welcomed the idea of US security guarantees -- but was less positive about Russia's intentions. "What President Trump said about security guarantees is much more important to me than Putin's thoughts, because Putin will not give any security guarantees," he told a press conference in Brussels alongside von der Leyen. "Security means a strong army, which only Ukraine can provide. I believe that only Europe can finance this army." Von der Leyen and Zelensky also shared their thoughts on a possible meeting between Trump, Putin and the Ukrainian leader. "So far, Russia gives no sign that the trilateral will happen and if Russia refuses, then new sanctions must follow," Zelensky said. Von der Leyen had said she wanted to see the three-way meeting happen "as soon as possible". Zelensky will meet Trump in Washington on Monday, accompanied by von der Leyen and other European leaders. (AFP)
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
US envoy Witkoff says Putin agreed to Nato-like security protections for Ukraine
US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin agreed at his Alaska summit with President Donald Trump to allow the US and European allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee resembling Nato's collective defence mandate as part of an eventual deal to end the war. Advertisement 'We were able to win the following concession: that the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in Nato,' he said on CNN's State of the Union. Witkoff said it was the first time he had heard Putin agree to that. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at a press conference in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said that 'we welcome President Trump's willingness to contribute to Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine' and the 'coalition of the willing, including the European Union, is ready to do its share'. Witkoff, offering some of the first details of what was discussed at Friday's summit in Alaska, said the two sides agreed to 'robust security guarantees that I would describe as game-changing'. He added that Russia said it would make a legislative commitment not to go after any additional territory in Ukraine. Advertisement Trump on Sunday posted 'BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!' on his Truth Social platform, without elaborating.
