Daily brief
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing, stressing strong bilateral ties and backing a shared 'multipolar' vision for global affairs. The meeting came shortly after a visit by US President Donald Trump, and both leaders signaled a united front against the United States, criticizing what they described as a failed 'colonial' world order. Putin praised Xi as a 'dear friend' and claimed ties between Russia and China are at a record high, while Xi hailed China's 'unyielding' ties with Russia. The two leaders issued a joint statement on Ukraine and called for a 'just and reasonable' global governance system, though no specific new agreements were announced. (ongoing coverage)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the emergence of a multipolar world is an objective reality and that Moscow and Beijing want to prevent it from descending into chaos, while also criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russia and China expressed concern over the militarization of the Arctic by the US and its allies, and criticized Washington over its 'Golden Dome' plans.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed that 'Europe will respond' to repeated Russian drone incidents.
Ukraine’s UN envoy urged sanctions on Russia’s war machine after deadly May attacks.