European leaders pressure Russia over 30-day Ukraine ceasefire
European leaders have urged Russia to support an unconditional 30-day cease-fire in Ukraine starting Monday. The appeal was made at a Kyiv summit of the "coalition of the willing," which was hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and attended by leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland, according to BBC.
The ceasefire plan, first proposed by US President Donald Trump in a phone chat with Zelensky, came with a threat of "massive" consequences if Russia refused. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the coalition aims to show that aggression will not prevail in Europe.
Russia has rejected the proposal until Western military aid to Ukraine is ceased, but Zelensky urged that the ceasefire be unconditional, , BBC reported.
The Kyiv gathering came after a separate summit in Moscow, where more than 20 leaders met with President Vladimir Putin. The coalition pledged support for long-term peace efforts and possible security guarantees, including troop deployments in Ukraine.
China, Slovakia pledge stronger partnership and support for China-EU relations
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Friday, emphasizing China's commitment to improving relations with Slovakia and advancing China-EU collaboration. The encounter took place during ceremonies commemorating the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War, which occurred 80 years ago, Xinhua reported.
Xi underlined that China-Slovakia relations are fast improving, emphasizing the continuous execution of agreements from Fico's 2023 visit to China. He advocated for further collaboration in trade, investment, and Belt and Road initiatives, and he welcomed Slovakia's selection as the guest country of honor at the 2018 China-CEEC Expo.
Fico described the strategic partnership with China as a key foreign policy priority and reaffirmed Slovakia’s support for the one-China policy. He expressed strong backing for China’s global initiatives and praised its constructive role on international issues. Slovakia, he said, is committed to working with China to support multilateralism, free trade, and global supply chain stability, as reported by Xinhua.
US top diplomat Rubio urges for de-escalation
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday and urged both Pakistan and India to find ways to de-escalate.
A US Department Of State spokesperson said Rubio also offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts.
Nepal reaffirms commitment to fighting terrorism
Nepal has reaffirmed its solidarity in the fight against terrorism, as it condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which killed several innocent tourists, including a Nepali national. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the Government of Nepal expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 attack.
Nepal recalled standing in solidarity with India during the tragic period, united in grief and suffering. Reiterating its firm stance, Nepal described the assault as a “barbaric terrorist attack” and underlined its unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms. “Nepal stands together with all in the fight against terrorism,” the statement said.
The Ministry emphasized that Nepal, in line with its principled foreign policy, would not allow any inimical forces to exploit its territory to harm neighboring countries. Urging restraint from all sides, Nepal called for the de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and stressed its dedication to promoting lasting peace and regional stability in South Asia.
