Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration has expressed willingness to hold talks with US President-elect Donald Trump, in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Putin, no conditions are required for the meeting, only a mutual desire to engage in dialogue. This development has sparked hope of a diplomatic resolution, but also raises concerns that a quick peace deal could come at the expense of Ukraine's interests. Trump had previously stated during his election campaign that he could end the conflict within 24 hours, and his team has suggested it may take months to resolve.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/584563-russia-says-it-welcomes-trumps-readiness-to-solve-problems-through-dialogueGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of circumventing sanctions by using a "shadow fleet" of tankers with opaque ownership or inadequate insurance to continue exporting oil. The number of ships in this fleet has increased since the start of the war in Ukraine, according to the Atlantic Council think tank. In response, Western countries have imposed restrictions on these ships, including over 70 sanctioned by the European Union and around 180 more targeted by the United States and Britain.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/01/11/germany-races-to-secure-stricken-russian-shadow-fleet-oil-tanker-a87572Russian President Vladimir Putin's primary objective in any potential negotiations is to secure agreements that would prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and for the Alliance to scale back its operations on its eastern borders, according to a senior Kremlin official and another source who spoke with Putin. This goal stems from Putin's desire to reshape the international order so that Russia feels secure and protected from perceived threats, particularly in the post-war world.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940886-the-world-is-changing-anything-can-happen-putin-wants-to-discuss-strategic-security-agreements-with-trumpQatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with Witkoff in Doha to discuss efforts towards a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting is part of ongoing indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, which have seen mediators from Qatar launch a new push to secure the release of dozens of Israeli hostages held captive in the territory. US President Joe Biden has reported "real progress" in the talks, but analysts believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may prefer a deal to be finalized under Trump's presidency rather than during Biden's final days in office.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40342236/mediator-qatar-briefs-trump-envoy-on-gaza-truce-talksChancellor Rachel Reeves' trip to China has been met with controversy as she attempts to deepen economic ties between the UK and China. During her visit, she held talks with Chinese finance minister Lan Fo'an at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Meanwhile, back in the UK, concerns are growing about Britain's borrowing costs, which have seen a significant increase due to a weakening currency and rising gilt yields. This has led some experts, such as Ben Zaranko from the IFS think-tank, to warn that Chancellor Reeves faces difficult decisions ahead, with one Cabinet source suggesting she is losing the confidence of her colleagues.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14271805/Rachel-Reeves-presses-flesh-Chinas-communist-leaders-Britains-economy-faces-1970s-style-debt-crisis.htmlUK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is visiting China as part of a trip aimed at fostering constructive engagement and creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and collaboration between the two countries. The visit comes amidst a complex backdrop of economic challenges in the UK, including a downturn in the domestic economy and pressure from anti-China hawks against the Labour government. According to Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, the primary goal of Reeves' visit is to promote British economic growth, which he notes can be achieved through China's further opening up of its financial services sector. The trip has been met with criticism from some Conservatives who argue that Reeves should prioritize dealing with economic issues at home rather than engaging in diplomatic efforts abroad.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326673.shtmlBritish Foreign Secretary David Reeves is visiting China as part of an effort by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen ties with the country, their fourth-largest trading partner. The visit comes after a series of tensions between the two nations over spying allegations and Beijing's support for Russia in the Ukraine war and its crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong. Reeves will meet with Chinese officials to discuss issues such as human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and China's economic support for Russia, and is accompanied by senior executives from major financial services firms including HSBC and Standard Chartered. The visit aims to strike a "pragmatic" balance between maintaining good relations with Beijing while addressing national security concerns.
https://apnews.com/article/china-britain-rachel-reeves-labour-a20b3eb02ee618401ed5c3d427ad75c2British Treasury chief Rachel Reeves visited Beijing, where she met her Chinese counterpart He Lifeng and presided over the re-opening of finance talks between the two countries. The visit comes as the UK faces a financial crisis, with bond yields reaching a 17-year high, making it more costly for the government to finance current operations and repay debt. Reeves said London was a "natural home" for Chinese finance and that the two countries had opportunities to deepen their financial relationship through regulatory cooperation. She also acknowledged pressure from the opposition to stay in the UK to address the crisis but stated that her trip was long-standing and aimed at unlocking benefits for British businesses exporting and trading globally. The visit is seen as a sign of the UK's efforts to reset its diplomatic relationship with China, which has been strained over issues such as human rights and trade.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/01/11/london-is-natural-home-for-chinese-finance-uk-treasurer-says-in-beijing-visit-amid-bond-market-storm/162841The UK Labour government, led by Prime Minister Reeves, is planning an official visit to China in the hopes of boosting the country's economy. However, this trip may be complicated by US President-elect Donald Trump's negative views on China, which could impact the UK's relationship with the country. The visit marks a shift from the previous Conservative government's tense relations with China over human rights and security concerns, allowing Reeves to take a more business-oriented approach in an attempt to tap into China's vast market for economic benefits.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-triggering-britain/