Russian President Putin urged BRICS member countries to expand the use of national currencies in bilateral transactions to strengthen economic sovereignty. The combined GDP of BRICS has reached $77 trillion, with China contributing over 60% of the group's total economic power. Putin participated in the BRICS summit via video link due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court regarding allegations of war crimes in Ukraine. The Russian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and the forum marked the first after BRICS expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2025863/putin-says-liberal-globalization-model-is-obsoleteThe UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) have agreed to reduce customs duties on over 85% of goods, lowering protection rates for Union products in Emirati markets from 5% to 0.6% and vice versa. The agreement benefits the EEU with wider access to the UAE market in strategic categories such as polymers and consumer products, while the UAE gains access to the EEU's large market of over 180 million people. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aims to strengthen economic ties, remove trade barriers, and stimulate investment in key sectors like agriculture and industry.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2025/07/08/uae-among-top-ten-global-trading-partners-for-eurasian-economic-unionIndonesia and Papua New Guinea have agreed to enhance border cooperation through annual meetings, including the Border Liaison Officer Meeting and Joint Ministerial Committee. During a meeting at Bogor Palace in West Java, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape discussed cross-border transportation cooperation for commercial purposes.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2025807/indonesia-papua-new-guinea-agree-to-bolster-defense-cooperationChina has expressed its willingness to work with India to improve and develop bilateral relations, describing the current stage as "crucial". The statement comes amid tensions between the two nations, but China's readiness to collaborate suggests a potential shift in their relationship.
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/china-says-stand-ready-to-work-with-india-to-move-bilateral-relations-crucial-stage-of-improvement-development-11751982008182.htmlChina aims to strengthen regional cooperation through multilateralism, defending free trade and the multilateral trading system, while implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with high quality. The country also seeks to promote Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness, aiming for a security model in Asia that prioritizes security for all.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337915.shtmlIndonesian Ambassador Andreano discussed strengthening ties with Serbian President Vucic, focusing on cooperation in various sectors including economics, agriculture, energy, IT, military, chemical industry, and tourism within the Non-Aligned Movement framework.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/364969/indonesian-ambassador-presents-his-credentials-to-serbian-presidentFrench President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the need for international cooperation in protecting the global order, particularly in Ukraine's conflict with Russia. During his three-day visit to the UK, he met with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to discuss various issues including Brexit, aid to Ukraine, and joint efforts to stop migrants crossing the Channel. Macron also announced a new partnership with EDF on a British nuclear power plant and loaned the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum for 10 months. The visit aims to strengthen defense ties and boost trade between France and the UK, as they work together in a coalition of 30 nations to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/macron-urges-new-era-of-anglo-french-unity-in-address-to-uk-parliament/article_5b177a2b-db71-5fe7-92c7-19e29cdb75f9.htmlRussian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed US President Donald Trump's shifting rhetoric on Russia and arms aid to Ukraine, saying Moscow will continue pursuing its military goals regardless of Washington's policies. Medvedev mocked Trump's flip-flopping on military aid shipments to Ukraine and his changing tone toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a recent claim that Trump was "very unhappy" after their call, despite previously describing it as having "good talks".
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/08/ignore-donald-trumps-political-seesaw-russias-medvedev-says-a89726Russia's Foreign Ministry is drafting legislation to better manage its foreign aid and development programs, with the goal of improving transparency and strategic planning. Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Yevgeny Primakov, cited the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as a model, stating that matching Finland's level of international cooperation would be a significant achievement. Currently, separate government decrees are required for each project, which Primakov considers inefficient, and hopes that formal legislation will address this issue.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/08/russia-plans-usaid-inspired-development-model-in-bid-to-extend-global-influence-a89731