Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating agreements made in Saudi Arabia, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling on the US to strengthen sanctions on Moscow. Zelensky's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with US officials, passing on information about Russian violations in the energy sector. The White House stated that both countries agreed to develop measures for implementing an agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/01/ukraine-russia-complain-to-us-about-strikes-on-energy-sites-a88571Ambassador Abdullah Abu Rumman presented his credentials to Maltese President Myriam Spiteri Debono, becoming Jordan's non-resident ambassador to Malta. The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, where Abu Rumman conveyed King Abdullah's greetings and best wishes for Malta's progress and prosperity.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordans-ambassador-malta-presents-credentialsA delegation from the African Union (AU) led by members of the "Council of the Wise" including former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor, has arrived in Juba to ease tensions and support the peace process. The AU's Peace and Security Council had previously called for the immediate release of Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO party, warning that his detention threatens the 2018 peace deal. Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also visited Juba on Monday to mediate between rival factions as part of an East African regional bloc.
https://africanews.com/2025/04/02/african-union-mediators-arrive-in-south-sudan-to-salvage-peace-deal/Asian markets edged up on Wednesday as investors braced for US President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs, dubbed "Liberation Day", which could lead to a global trade war. The planned duties have sparked uncertainty, with economists warning that economic growth could take a hit and inflation reignite. Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington, Taipei, and Manila rose, while Tokyo remained flat, as investors sought some certainty before the announcement. Chinese tech giant Xiaomi swung higher after a recent fall, while HSBC strategists warned of potential further uncertainty on April 2.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capital-markets-currencies/asia-markets-edge-uncertainty-rules-ahead-trump-tariffsAsian stocks fell as investors awaited US President Donald Trump's tariff announcement, with a regional gauge declining due to drops in Japanese and South Korean indexes, while Hong Kong's markets fluctuated.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/capital-markets/traders-tread-warily-as-tariff-clock-counts-down-markets-wrapAustralia and China are seeking to strengthen their trade ties as geopolitical uncertainty and US tariffs impact global relations. The Australia-China Business Council's chairman, David Olsson, expressed a sense of "renewed optimism" between the two nations, aiming to create an environment for economic growth and harmony. However, Olsson warned that Beijing could reinstate trade barriers, which would sharply affect businesses, despite recent thawing in trade relations.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304882/australia-china-trade-ties-imperative-both-sides-eye-emerging-prospects-risks?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's meeting with fellow NATO leaders will focus on collective defense, burden sharing, and strengthening alliances amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Fidan plans to emphasize Türkiye's contributions to Euro-Atlantic security, citing its strong military capabilities and modern defense industry infrastructure. He also stresses the importance of maintaining NATO's fundamental role in European security, given Türkiye's strategic location on the southeast flank. The meeting will also discuss cooperation with Asia-Pacific partners, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand, highlighting the interconnectedness of Euro-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific security.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/top-turkish-diplomat-to-underscore-turkiyes-security-role-in-key-nato-meeting-207593China has highlighted the economic benefits of trade with the US, citing increased agricultural imports as a key advantage for both countries. The ruling Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, published an article on April 2, 2025, highlighting the positive impact of US exports on Chinese farmers and tech companies.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/antitrust/china-touts-trade-benefits-for-us-in-last-ditch-tariff-appealRussian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev may visit Washington this week, meeting with US President's special representative Stephen Witkoff in an effort to strengthen relations between Russia and the US and find ways to end the conflict in Ukraine. The visit could be the first high-level meeting since 2022. Dmitriev had previously discussed rare earth projects with US officials, and the US government has lifted sanctions on him to allow a visa for his visit.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/961136-cnn-us-lifts-sanctions-on-kirill-dmitriev-witkoff-expects-him-for-talks-in-washington