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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

The Iran crisis is most likely to be discussed with other conflicts such as the Ukraine war rather than be singled out for special mention at this year’s “two sessions”. Photo: EPA

Two Sessions 2026

Will Iran feature in foreign policy talks at China’s ‘two sessions’?

The focus is on economics and the five-year plan but the turmoil could prompt a rethink in some areas, analysts say.

3 Mar 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Indonesia

‘Nothing to them’: Indonesia’s US-Iran peace broker bid faces long odds

3 Mar 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | Kim Jong-un’s daughter may well become North Korea’s first female leader

3 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

Language as a weapon? PLA academics seek training overhaul, cite Ukraine war

Digitised battlefields demand new breed of soldier, as skilled at data analysis and psy-ops as at wielding a weapon, veteran instructor says.

3 Mar 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

Coordinated push from military academics reflects a broader recognition within China’s defence establishment as the People’s Liberation Army’s global footprint expands. Photo: Reuters

France

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

France’s Macron says eight European countries have agreed to a ‘forward’ deterrence plan to bolster continental security.

3 Mar 2026 - 4:41PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Long Iran war could hurt Ukraine’s defence, says Zelensky

The president said if military strikes in the Middle East continue, the supply of weapons to fend off Moscow’s long attack could be affected.

2 Mar 2026 - 9:47PMvideocam

Middle East

Asia’s travel sector rattled by Iran attacks, fears of ‘domino effect’ slowdown

Airlines are bracing for higher oil prices, continuous flight disruptions and plunging traveller confidence.

2 Mar 2026 - 5:59PMvideocam

A display board at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi shows cancelled flights to Dubai and Doha on Monday, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Photo: Reuters

European Union

Belgium special forces seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

The European Union has blacklisted hundreds of vessels in a bid to sap Moscow’s war chest.

1 Mar 2026 - 7:17PM

Middle East

US says it used drones based on Iran’s own Shaheds in attack: ‘retribution’

Russia has used over 57,000 similar drones built with Iranian technology in Ukraine, transforming modern warfare.

1 Mar 2026 - 5:20AM

Taiwan

Taiwan is buying expensive US weapons systems, but are they the right ones?

The pricey arms packages are already facing legislative pushback. Now critics say they may be addressing the wrong threat.

28 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

A National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams), of the kind approved by the US for sale to Taiwan. Photo: Handout

Ukraine war

Opinion | Peace in Ukraine will require pragmatic diplomacy on both sides

To prevent the war from dragging on for a fifth year, earlier proposals such as one floated by China and Brazil should be reconsidered.

28 Feb 2026 - 6:45AM

Firefighters work at the site of a residential building damaged during Russian drone and missile strikes in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 22. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

Trump puts fate of world’s top conflicts in hands of 2 men

In a frantic 24 hours of shuttle diplomacy, Trump’s hand-picked duo juggled Iran negotiations and Ukraine war talks.

27 Feb 2026 - 12:25PM

Ukraine war

Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year

Barring Moscow or Kyiv reaching breaking points in their war efforts, neither side will make any steps to end or ‘freeze’ the conflict.

26 Feb 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Poland

Poland tells US it won’t be a ‘sucker’ as Trump reshapes Nato

Foreign Minister Sikorski pledged loyalty to Washington but called for greater EU security responsibility amid Trump’s policy shifts.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:51PM

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski delivers a speech to parliament in Warsaw on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

China affirms ‘no nukes’ position amid claims of European plan to arm Ukraine

While Moscow accuses London and Paris of preparing to give nuclear weapons to Kyiv, Beijing doubles down.

26 Feb 2026 - 3:13PMvideocam

As Russia’s war on Ukraine enters its fifth year, China has restated its opposition to a nuclear escalation of the conflict. Photo: dpa

China-Germany relations

Merz’s China tightrope: German leader has warm words, hard questions for Beijing

German chancellor strikes diplomatic tone in Beijing meetings while pushing his hosts on subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:05PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky speaks with Trump, says Russia talks should lead to leaders’ meeting

The leader says Russian claims that Kyiv was trying to obtain nuclear arms were an attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.

26 Feb 2026 - 5:51AM

US-China relations

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

25 Feb 2026 - 12:50PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address was the longest to the Congress. Photo: AP

European Union

Opinion | EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making

In an uncertain global environment, the European Union remains committed to mutually beneficial relations with Hong Kong.

25 Feb 2026 - 5:30AM

Ukraine war

Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking nuclear arms with help from UK and France

Russia says the western allies believe Ukraine could end the war on more favourable terms if it had a dirty bomb, an allegation Kyiv denies.

25 Feb 2026 - 2:14AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

24 Feb 2026 - 10:00PM

A person walks through a makeshift memorial to fallen soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday, as the conflict with Russia reaches its four-year mark. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

4 years into Ukraine conflict, Zelensky says Putin ‘did not win this war’

The president said Kyiv wanted ‘lasting peace’ and any truce agreement ‘must not simply be signed, it must be accepted by Ukrainians’.

24 Feb 2026 - 8:41PM

Ukrainian troops attend a training session at an undisclosed location in the Zaporizhzhia region on Sunday. Photo: EPA/Press service of the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade

Ukraine war

Where Ukraine and Russia stand as war enters fifth year

Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

24 Feb 2026 - 3:19PM

Singapore

Singapore warns ‘action will be taken’ against citizens fighting in foreign wars

National Security Minister K Shanmugam says any Singaporean found fighting abroad will be detained by the Internal Security Department.

24 Feb 2026 - 1:11PM

Russia

Assailant kills police officer and himself in blast near Moscow railway station

The attacker approached a patrol car downtown before detonating his device.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:46AM

The site of the explosion in Moscow. Photo: Russian Investigative Committee via AFP

China-Germany relations

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

Chancellor must strike a balance between those wanting a toned-down Brussels trade policy and those backing tougher action against Beijing.

23 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to depart for his first official trip to China, with scheduled stops in Beijing and Hangzhou. Photo: AP

The Netherlands

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

23 Feb 2026 - 6:20PM

Ukraine war

Zelensky says he believes Putin has started World War III

Ukrainian leader says his country was preventing it from becoming a ‘broad full-scale third world war’.

23 Feb 2026 - 3:10PM

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Ukraine

Will Iran feature in foreign policy talks at China’s ‘two sessions’?

The focus is on economics and the five-year plan but the turmoil could prompt a rethink in some areas, analysts say.

‘Nothing to them’: Indonesia’s US-Iran peace broker bid faces long odds

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Kim Jong-un’s daughter may well become North Korea’s first female leader

Language as a weapon? PLA academics seek training overhaul, cite Ukraine war

Digitised battlefields demand new breed of soldier, as skilled at data analysis and psy-ops as at wielding a weapon, veteran instructor says.

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

France’s Macron says eight European countries have agreed to a ‘forward’ deterrence plan to bolster continental security.

Long Iran war could hurt Ukraine’s defence, says Zelensky

The president said if military strikes in the Middle East continue, the supply of weapons to fend off Moscow’s long attack could be affected.

Asia’s travel sector rattled by Iran attacks, fears of ‘domino effect’ slowdown

Airlines are bracing for higher oil prices, continuous flight disruptions and plunging traveller confidence.

Belgium special forces seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

The European Union has blacklisted hundreds of vessels in a bid to sap Moscow’s war chest.

US says it used drones based on Iran’s own Shaheds in attack: ‘retribution’

Russia has used over 57,000 similar drones built with Iranian technology in Ukraine, transforming modern warfare.

Taiwan is buying expensive US weapons systems, but are they the right ones?

The pricey arms packages are already facing legislative pushback. Now critics say they may be addressing the wrong threat.

Opinion | Peace in Ukraine will require pragmatic diplomacy on both sides

To prevent the war from dragging on for a fifth year, earlier proposals such as one floated by China and Brazil should be reconsidered.

Trump puts fate of world’s top conflicts in hands of 2 men

In a frantic 24 hours of shuttle diplomacy, Trump’s hand-picked duo juggled Iran negotiations and Ukraine war talks.

Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year

Barring Moscow or Kyiv reaching breaking points in their war efforts, neither side will make any steps to end or ‘freeze’ the conflict.

Poland tells US it won’t be a ‘sucker’ as Trump reshapes Nato

Foreign Minister Sikorski pledged loyalty to Washington but called for greater EU security responsibility amid Trump’s policy shifts.

China affirms ‘no nukes’ position amid claims of European plan to arm Ukraine

While Moscow accuses London and Paris of preparing to give nuclear weapons to Kyiv, Beijing doubles down.

Merz’s China tightrope: German leader has warm words, hard questions for Beijing

German chancellor strikes diplomatic tone in Beijing meetings while pushing his hosts on subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia.

Zelensky speaks with Trump, says Russia talks should lead to leaders’ meeting

The leader says Russian claims that Kyiv was trying to obtain nuclear arms were an attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

Opinion | EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making

In an uncertain global environment, the European Union remains committed to mutually beneficial relations with Hong Kong.

Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking nuclear arms with help from UK and France

Russia says the western allies believe Ukraine could end the war on more favourable terms if it had a dirty bomb, an allegation Kyiv denies.

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

4 years into Ukraine conflict, Zelensky says Putin ‘did not win this war’

The president said Kyiv wanted ‘lasting peace’ and any truce agreement ‘must not simply be signed, it must be accepted by Ukrainians’.

Where Ukraine and Russia stand as war enters fifth year

Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

Singapore warns ‘action will be taken’ against citizens fighting in foreign wars

National Security Minister K Shanmugam says any Singaporean found fighting abroad will be detained by the Internal Security Department.

Assailant kills police officer and himself in blast near Moscow railway station

The attacker approached a patrol car downtown before detonating his device.

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

Chancellor must strike a balance between those wanting a toned-down Brussels trade policy and those backing tougher action against Beijing.

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

Zelensky says he believes Putin has started World War III

Ukrainian leader says his country was preventing it from becoming a ‘broad full-scale third world war’.

Opinion | Kim Jong-un’s daughter may well become North Korea’s first female leader