TOPIC

/ location

Ukraine

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe after Russia, gaining independence from the Soviet Union and declaring neutrality in 1991. In February 2022, Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine under the auspices of a "special military operation" to "de-nazify" the country. The move turned Moscow into a global pariah, and the Ukrainian army - backed financially and militarily by the US and western European countries - continues to fight off the invading forces. Nuclear-armed Russia has warned of consequences if Nato interferes in the war, while strategic ally China urges a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Capital

Kyiv

Head of State

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Head of Government

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal

A Russian Geran 2 kamikaze drone during an attack on Kyiv. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Russian strikes kill at least 17 across Ukraine in worst attack this year

Officials warn the toll could rise after Russia unleashed missiles and hundreds of drones at Ukrainian cities.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:08PM

United States

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

16 Apr 2026 - 2:12PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

16 Apr 2026 - 1:11PM

War and conflict

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold.

16 Apr 2026 - 7:00AMvideocam

US Vice-President J.D. Vance arrives for talks about Iran with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

China cements Russia ties as both win from US war

Russia is boosting oil exports, including to China, as the Iran war upends Middle East supplies, while Chinese renewables companies will benefit from efforts to diversify away from fossil fuels.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:49PM

US-China relations

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

15 Apr 2026 - 4:46AMvideocam

Ukraine war

‘Failing to help’: Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson criticises ‘timidity’ over Ukraine

Johnson’s three-day trip to Ukraine is the subject of a feature-length documentary called ‘Into The Kill Zone’.

14 Apr 2026 - 2:37AMvideocam

Britain’s former Prime Minister Boris Johnson stands surrounded by Ukrainian national flags and flags of military units as he visits the frontline town of Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Photo: via AP

Japan

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

13 Apr 2026 - 9:16AM

Ukraine war

Easter truce between Ukraine and Russia ends after thousands of violations

A brief 32-hour lull in the war is shattered as Kyiv and Moscow trade accusations of drone strikes, artillery and tank fire.

13 Apr 2026 - 1:50PM

Hungary

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:42AM

Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban concedes defeat in parliamentary elections to his rival, conservative Peter Magyar, a former government insider and political newcomer who has promised “system change”. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine begin 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

Kyiv says it will reciprocate the Kremlin-ordered truce from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday.

11 Apr 2026 - 9:25PMvideocam

Beams of light illuminate the sky over the graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers as friends and relatives take part in a joint prayer and candlelight vigil at Lychakiv Military Cemetery in Lviv, western Ukraine, on February 23. Photo: EPA

2026 Trump-Xi summit

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

11 Apr 2026 - 4:55AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukrainians sceptical as Russia’s Putin orders Easter truce

The Kremlin says its forces will stop fighting ‘in all directions’ for 32 hours, and Zelensky says Kyiv is willing to reciprocate.

11 Apr 2026 - 1:06AM

Japan

Why Japanese firm’s tie-up with Ukrainian drone maker sparks concerns in Russia

The two firms plan to develop drones that can be ‘deployed quickly and at low cost in the real combat conditions of Ukraine’.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

A drone of a Ukrainian regiment flies with an attached air bomb over a training ground in Zaporizhzhia last month, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

United States

Russian special envoy in US to meet Trump administration officials: sources

Kirill Dmitriev’s reported trip comes before a US decision on ⁠whether to extend sanctions relief on Russian oil, ‌which expires on Saturday.

10 Apr 2026 - 4:57AM

Russia

Russia criminalises denial of ‘Soviet genocide’ by Nazis during World War II

Under the law, anyone who damages monuments to victims of the Soviet occupation – in Russia and abroad – will be jailed for up to 4 years.

10 Apr 2026 - 3:10AM

China exports

As Iran war jolts global oil, can China’s energy storage tech blunt the impact?

Strong overseas demand, fuelled by the rise of AI-powered systems, could continue amid Iran war pressures, analysts say.

9 Apr 2026 - 10:48PMvideocam

United States

The US could be moving away from precision strikes in the Iran war. Here’s why

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:26AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

US-EU relations

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

Europe is likely to stay neutral in the Iran war and could even benefit if America fares poorly in its military campaign, analyst says.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:02PMvideocam

Hungary

Vance visits Hungary to boost Orban re-election bid

Orban, a Eurosceptic nationalist in power since 2010, is facing the toughest re-election bid of his career, with polls indicating his party will lose.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:25AM

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (right) welcomes US Vice-President J.D. Vance in front of his office in Budapest, Hungary on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

China food security

Beyond Russian oil, China also increases appetite for Ukrainian wheat flour

Chinese and Ukrainian officials sign a protocol in Kyiv on inspection, quarantine and sanitary requirements for exports.

7 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

Harvesters gather wheat in Zghurivka, Ukraine, in August 2022. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

Ukraine proposes ceasefire on striking energy targets to Russia

Ukraine’s president says the proposal has been conveyed to Moscow through the US.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:40AM

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:50AM

Ukraine war

Russian wheat freighter sinks after attack by Ukrainian drones

At least one sailor has died and two are still missing in the Sea of Azov after attack.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:19AM

Rescued crew of the Volgo-Balt on Sunday. Photo: Vladimir Saldo/Telegram via Reuters

Hungary

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

6 Apr 2026 - 1:46PM

Serbian military police block a road after explosives were discovered near the international gas pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary. Photo: Serbia’s Ministry of Defence via EPA

Ukraine war

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

Zelensky has offered to share Ukraine’s battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

5 Apr 2026 - 3:48PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

4 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Ukraine

Russian strikes kill at least 17 across Ukraine in worst attack this year

Officials warn the toll could rise after Russia unleashed missiles and hundreds of drones at Ukrainian cities.

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold.

China cements Russia ties as both win from US war

Russia is boosting oil exports, including to China, as the Iran war upends Middle East supplies, while Chinese renewables companies will benefit from efforts to diversify away from fossil fuels.

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

‘Failing to help’: Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson criticises ‘timidity’ over Ukraine

Johnson’s three-day trip to Ukraine is the subject of a feature-length documentary called ‘Into The Kill Zone’.

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

Easter truce between Ukraine and Russia ends after thousands of violations

A brief 32-hour lull in the war is shattered as Kyiv and Moscow trade accusations of drone strikes, artillery and tank fire.

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

Russia and Ukraine begin 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

Kyiv says it will reciprocate the Kremlin-ordered truce from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday.

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

Ukrainians sceptical as Russia’s Putin orders Easter truce

The Kremlin says its forces will stop fighting ‘in all directions’ for 32 hours, and Zelensky says Kyiv is willing to reciprocate.

Why Japanese firm’s tie-up with Ukrainian drone maker sparks concerns in Russia

The two firms plan to develop drones that can be ‘deployed quickly and at low cost in the real combat conditions of Ukraine’.

Russian special envoy in US to meet Trump administration officials: sources

Kirill Dmitriev’s reported trip comes before a US decision on ⁠whether to extend sanctions relief on Russian oil, ‌which expires on Saturday.

Russia criminalises denial of ‘Soviet genocide’ by Nazis during World War II

Under the law, anyone who damages monuments to victims of the Soviet occupation – in Russia and abroad – will be jailed for up to 4 years.

As Iran war jolts global oil, can China’s energy storage tech blunt the impact?

Strong overseas demand, fuelled by the rise of AI-powered systems, could continue amid Iran war pressures, analysts say.

The US could be moving away from precision strikes in the Iran war. Here’s why

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

Europe is likely to stay neutral in the Iran war and could even benefit if America fares poorly in its military campaign, analyst says.

Vance visits Hungary to boost Orban re-election bid

Orban, a Eurosceptic nationalist in power since 2010, is facing the toughest re-election bid of his career, with polls indicating his party will lose.

Beyond Russian oil, China also increases appetite for Ukrainian wheat flour

Chinese and Ukrainian officials sign a protocol in Kyiv on inspection, quarantine and sanitary requirements for exports.

Ukraine proposes ceasefire on striking energy targets to Russia

Ukraine’s president says the proposal has been conveyed to Moscow through the US.

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

Russian wheat freighter sinks after attack by Ukrainian drones

At least one sailor has died and two are still missing in the Sea of Azov after attack.

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

Zelensky has offered to share Ukraine’s battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail