Ukraine agreed to a 30-day cease-fire with the US, which will lift military aid suspension, following talks in Saudi Arabia. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that Ukraine must make concessions on land occupied since 2014 for any peace agreement. Meanwhile, Russia's air-defense systems shot down six drones, including one over Crimea and five over the Black Sea, while a large-scale drone attack struck Moscow and surrounding areas, killing at least one person.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-crisis-crosshairs-live-briefing/31668477.htmlUkrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha coordinated with French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot ahead of international peace talks in London, where they discussed Ukraine's appreciation for France's leadership and future security guarantees. The talks follow a recent round of negotiations in Paris attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, and will involve foreign ministers from the US, UK, Germany, and Ukraine on April 23.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3984611-ukraine-france-coordinate-positions-ahead-of-london-talks.htmlThe United Nations has warned that Gaza is facing severe hunger 50 days into an Israeli blockade on aid, with 2.4 million inhabitants at risk of famine. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, described the situation as "desperation" and accused Israel of diverting aid, which Hamas denies. The UN humanitarian agency OCHA's Jens Laerke warned that a total disaster is unfolding in Gaza, with two million people, mostly women and children, undergoing collective punishment due to lack of medical supplies and care.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/04/22/un-gaza-land-of-desperation-after-50-days-of-total-siege/174099The US and Iran are in talks to renegotiate the 2015 nuclear deal, with senior experts from both sides meeting for the first time. The talks aim to address concerns over Iran's uranium enrichment levels, which have increased significantly since the original agreement. Experts like Richard Nephew and Alan Eyre express cautious optimism about the negotiations' trajectory, but caution that the hard work is just beginning. The US needs a strong technical team to ensure the deal can be effectively implemented and verified, while Iran insists on its right to enrich uranium. The talks are seen as a crucial step in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, with the International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring Iran's progress closely.
https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-negotiations-expert-talks-explainer-4b47bfb4074469b1832f6b5009c84b58The US has claimed that Japan's yen is undervalued, prompting calls for a "Plaza Accord 2.0", similar to the 1985 agreement between the US and other countries including Japan that led to a strengthening of the yen. However, Japan insists that currency value should be determined by markets, not governments. Negotiations on tariffs with Trump have sidestepped discussion of the yen, delaying a contentious issue.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/22/economy/plaza-accord-20/In Hong Kong, despite a risk-off sentiment in Asia, investors remain focused on ongoing US tariff discussions. Markets strategist Wee Khoon Chong notes that the "mild risk-off" mood is not enough to deter investors from monitoring these talks, which are expected to continue to impact global markets.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358919/china-hk-stocks-steady-despite-wall-street-declinesThe US delegation to London ceasefire talks will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg. The meeting with senior officials from the UK, France, Germany, and Ukraine is a continuation of Paris negotiations led by President Emmanuel Macron last week. The proposed peace plan includes lifting sanctions on Russia and recognizing its control over Crimea, as suggested by US officials during the Paris talks.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3984551-rubio-witkoff-kellogg-to-represent-us-at-london-talks-bloomberg.htmlIf the US were to withdraw from the IMF, the European Union and China would likely compete for control over the US dollar's weight in the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), potentially shifting power and influence away from the US. This could enhance China's role in international finance and trade, particularly with the yuan. The US would lose its ability to coordinate a global response in financial crises, while China's influence would increase. The US has self-inflicted damage through Trump's tariffs, which have strained relationships with allies like Europe and the Asia-Pacific. America's low savings rate contributes to large trade deficits, allowing it to rely on foreign borrowing to maintain high standards of living and economic growth.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/trump-s-trade-war-could-blow-up-the-imf-and-world-bank-20250422-p5ltaz.htmlUS Vice President JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where they discussed trade deals amid US President Donald Trump's tariff threats. India has imposed a 26% tariff on inbound goods from the US, prompting negotiations to address India's trade surplus and encourage purchases of US defense, tech, and energy products.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/22/economy/jd-vance-india-us-trade/