U.S.-Ukraine diplomacy. Bilateral talks between the two countries regarding ongoing peace negotiations with Russia and plans for postwar reconstruction are also taking place in Geneva today. After a call with Trump ahead of today’s meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media yesterday that he soon expects an opportunity to move negotiations “to the leaders’ level.”
Merz in Beijing. China will buy as many as 120 aircraft from European firm Airbus, Germany’s Merz said during a visit to Beijing yesterday. Merz praised China-Germany ties amid a “turbulent” world. His visit follows recent trips to China by the leaders of France and the UK. China became Germany’s top trade partner last year. While Merz told reporters that China’s export overcapacity continued to concern Germany, China’s foreign ministry noted that both countries had pledged to resolve trade concerns “through candid and open dialogue.”
Ruling on third-country deportations. A federal judge ruled yesterday that the Trump administration’s policy of deporting immigrants to places other than their countries of origin is unconstitutional. U.S. authorities must provide deportees sufficient time to challenge their deportations by raising fears of persecution at their designated destination, the judge wrote. A spokesperson for the Justice Department denounced the ruling. The judge paused his order for fifteen days, and administration lawyers have said they are likely to appeal.
U.S. allows limited fuel for Cuba. The Treasury Department announced yesterday that it would permit Venezuelan fuel to be resold to Cuba if it is bought by Cuba’s small private sector. Fuel shipments to Cuba have virtually dried up since Washington banned Venezuela from selling oil to Cuba last month and threatened tariffs on any country that ships fuel to the island. UN experts warned the restrictions could result in a humanitarian crisis in the country.
Cuba speedboat altercation. Cuban military forces killed four people on a U.S.-registered speedboat yesterday after a passenger on the boat opened fire at Cuban officers, Cuba’s interior ministry said. It later added that preliminary findings suggested the passengers were Cuban nationals living in the United States who aimed to carry out “an infiltration for terrorist purposes.” Rubio said the incident was not a U.S. government operation but the United States would investigate it.
India’s Modi in Israel. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the country’s first leader to address the Israeli legislature yesterday, highlighting both countries’ counterterrorism efforts and saying India “stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction.” Under Modi, a Hindu nationalist, India has strengthened ties with Israel—becoming Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia—and pivoted away from its historic support for Palestinians. Both countries pledged to expand trade, defense, and energy ties.
Zimbabwe’s mineral export ban. The government announced yesterday it was suspending exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates and called for the mining industry to comply with its rules, including requirements that exporters obtain specific permits. Earlier this month, the mining ministry told companies it was monitoring “malpractices” and “leakages” among exporters.
Lai wins appeal in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong appellate court overturned a fraud conviction against pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai today, ruling that prosecutors had failed to prove their claims beyond reasonable doubt. The ruling does not affect a separate twenty-year sentence Lai is serving after being convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law. While the overturned conviction is a legal victory for one of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy voices, Lai’s daughter Claire called the ruling a “PR move by the Hong Kong authorities.”
