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Ukraine

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe after Russia, gaining independence from the Soviet Union and declaring neutrality in 1991. In February 2022, Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine under the auspices of a "special military operation" to "de-nazify" the country. The move turned Moscow into a global pariah, and the Ukrainian army - backed financially and militarily by the US and western European countries - continues to fight off the invading forces. Nuclear-armed Russia has warned of consequences if Nato interferes in the war, while strategic ally China urges a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Capital

Kyiv

Head of State

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Head of Government

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal

Asean

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China-North Korea relations

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Japan

Japan prepares to drop its pacifist mask as the right rises

8 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

Uefa

Christian Eriksen ‘conscious’ after another on-field collapse in Denmark match

The midfielder, 34, clutched his chest during a friendly against Ukraine in Odense, in a scene that echoed his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

8 Jun 2026 - 7:24AM

Denmark’s Joakim Maehle, Andreas Christensen and Jens Stage react after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in Odense, Denmark on Sunday. Photo: Ritzau Scanpix via Reuters

Ukraine war

European powers back Zelensky’s call for summit with Putin

UK, France and Germany endorse face-to-face ceasefire talks, but the Kremlin has so far ruled out a meeting.

8 Jun 2026 - 2:15PM

China-North Korea relations

Will Xi’s North Korea visit show that China remains Pyongyang’s most vital ally?

Beijing has been concerned by its neighbour’s closer ties with Russia and is expected to highlight the importance of its economic support.

7 Jun 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Armenia

Armenia sets course towards West as Pashinyan secures election win

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gets a third consecutive term following a general election.

8 Jun 2026 - 4:39PM

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after casting his ballot. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg after Putin rejects Zelensky’s offer

St Petersburg residents told to remain at home as the attack underscores Kyiv’s growing ability to hit deep inside Russia.

6 Jun 2026 - 8:21PM

US-China relations

Opinion | What does a ‘strong, quiet, clear’ US mean for China and Asia?

The US defence secretary’s speech at an annual defence forum had fewer China attacks, no mention of Taiwan and a nebulous vow to be ‘strong, quiet, clear’.

6 Jun 2026 - 1:56PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Putin says no reason to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky, calls his letter ‘rude’

In his message, Zelensky said Russians had grown tired of Ukraine missile and drone attacks and economic hardship and were ready for peace.

6 Jun 2026 - 7:42AM

Russia

UK’s Keir Starmer says Russia could attack Nato within 4 years

His comments echo similar time frames expressed by other European leaders and Nato chief Mark Rutte.

5 Jun 2026 - 11:25PMvideocam

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) is shown a Vanta system during a Friday visit to STARK, a leading defence tech company in Swindon, to hear how the defence industry is learning lessons from Ukraine. Photo: dpa

SCMP Highlights

Trump urged Xi to resolve Ukraine war; China’s tech sanctions list: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s baby Danny DNA case to North Korea’s Kim meeting winning football team, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

5 Jun 2026 - 12:34PM

Ukraine war

Putin says Trump ideas could bring peace in Ukraine, urges Kyiv to compromise

Zelensky, meanwhile, proposed face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to the Russian leader.

5 Jun 2026 - 6:01AM

United States

Trump foe Bolton to plead guilty in classified information case

Ex-national security adviser cuts deal to drop 18 felony counts down to one, facing a US$2.25 million fine but avoiding prison time.

5 Jun 2026 - 4:29PM

Former White House national security adviser John Bolton. Photo: Reuters

War and conflict

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4 Jun 2026 - 6:52AMvideocam

European Union

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:02AMvideocam

United Nations

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

4 Jun 2026 - 2:39PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine drone strikes causing ‘panic’ for Kremlin, EU’s Kallas says

Russia is increasing attacks on civilians because it doesn’t know how to respond to attacks deep in its territory, the top EU diplomat says.

4 Jun 2026 - 2:15AM

Russia

Ukraine drones target St Petersburg as ‘Russia’s Davos’ opens

Black smoke rises over major fuel terminal as city hosts Vladimir Putin’s global economic summit.

3 Jun 2026 - 6:01PM

Ukraine war

Major Russian air attack on Ukrainian cities kills at least 23, wounds dozens

Ukraine says Russia ⁠launched more than 650 drones and 70 missiles overnight, mainly targeting Kyiv.

3 Jun 2026 - 9:27AM

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi

Washington is also not happy about Beijing’s rare earth controls, according to people familiar with the talks.

2 Jun 2026 - 2:41PMvideocam

President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Beijing on May 15. Photo: AFP

United States

Powell uses JFK award speech to defend Fed from political pressure

Former Fed chair urges protection of America’s democratic institutions, warns they face a ‘stress test’.

1 Jun 2026 - 11:35AM

China-UK relations

In sign of easing UK-China ties, British Foreign Secretary set for 3-day visit

Announcement comes days after delegations from both countries sat down at Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss concrete military engagement.

31 May 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia blasts ‘conspicuously muted’ response over axed Norway missile deal

Defence Minister Khaled told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Oslo’s move was ‘destructive’ to the credibility of the rules-based global order.

31 May 2026 - 6:23PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Russia says Ukraine drone struck Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Kyiv denies being behind the attack, calling the Russian claims ‘yet another propaganda ploy’.

31 May 2026 - 1:06PMvideocam

A view of a spent nuclear fuel storage grounds at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine in March 2023. Photo: TNS

Ukraine war

Nato and Romania accuse Russia after drone hits block of flats

Drone strikes a 10-storey building in Galati, causing an explosion and civilian injuries in an apparent spillover of the Ukraine conflict.

29 May 2026 - 9:10PM

Investigators examine the rooftop impact zone of a building in Galați, Romania, after it was struck by an exploding Russian drone. Photo: AFP

War and conflict

Israel, Russia hit back after being added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts

UN documentation of alleged abuses sparks furious denials from both nations.

29 May 2026 - 4:25PM

Diplomacy

Opinion | 3 paths to stability in a conflict-ridden world

History moves in cycles, and today’s turbulence will settle into a new order. Will the US reassert dominance, China emerge as the leader, or will we see a world with two centres?

28 May 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

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Ukraine

As Putin courts Southeast Asia, does ‘Russia need Asean more’?

Southeast Asia needs energy. Russia needs friends. Next week’s summit in Kazan could offer opportunities for both sides.

Xi Jinping arrives in a North Korea armed with advanced warships and AI drones

Japan prepares to drop its pacifist mask as the right rises

Christian Eriksen ‘conscious’ after another on-field collapse in Denmark match

The midfielder, 34, clutched his chest during a friendly against Ukraine in Odense, in a scene that echoed his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

European powers back Zelensky’s call for summit with Putin

UK, France and Germany endorse face-to-face ceasefire talks, but the Kremlin has so far ruled out a meeting.

Will Xi’s North Korea visit show that China remains Pyongyang’s most vital ally?

Beijing has been concerned by its neighbour’s closer ties with Russia and is expected to highlight the importance of its economic support.

Armenia sets course towards West as Pashinyan secures election win

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gets a third consecutive term following a general election.

Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg after Putin rejects Zelensky’s offer

St Petersburg residents told to remain at home as the attack underscores Kyiv’s growing ability to hit deep inside Russia.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | What does a ‘strong, quiet, clear’ US mean for China and Asia?

The US defence secretary’s speech at an annual defence forum had fewer China attacks, no mention of Taiwan and a nebulous vow to be ‘strong, quiet, clear’.

Putin says no reason to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky, calls his letter ‘rude’

In his message, Zelensky said Russians had grown tired of Ukraine missile and drone attacks and economic hardship and were ready for peace.

UK’s Keir Starmer says Russia could attack Nato within 4 years

His comments echo similar time frames expressed by other European leaders and Nato chief Mark Rutte.

Trump urged Xi to resolve Ukraine war; China’s tech sanctions list: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s baby Danny DNA case to North Korea’s Kim meeting winning football team, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Putin says Trump ideas could bring peace in Ukraine, urges Kyiv to compromise

Zelensky, meanwhile, proposed face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to the Russian leader.

Trump foe Bolton to plead guilty in classified information case

Ex-national security adviser cuts deal to drop 18 felony counts down to one, facing a US$2.25 million fine but avoiding prison time.

Opinion | Asia has to learn the lessons of war while it still can

The time to learn is before the fire reaches the house. Every war forces us to ask: if this logic came to our region, what would we do?

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

Ukraine drone strikes causing ‘panic’ for Kremlin, EU’s Kallas says

Russia is increasing attacks on civilians because it doesn’t know how to respond to attacks deep in its territory, the top EU diplomat says.

Ukraine drones target St Petersburg as ‘Russia’s Davos’ opens

Black smoke rises over major fuel terminal as city hosts Vladimir Putin’s global economic summit.

Major Russian air attack on Ukrainian cities kills at least 23, wounds dozens

Ukraine says Russia ⁠launched more than 650 drones and 70 missiles overnight, mainly targeting Kyiv.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi

Washington is also not happy about Beijing’s rare earth controls, according to people familiar with the talks.

Powell uses JFK award speech to defend Fed from political pressure

Former Fed chair urges protection of America’s democratic institutions, warns they face a ‘stress test’.

In sign of easing UK-China ties, British Foreign Secretary set for 3-day visit

Announcement comes days after delegations from both countries sat down at Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss concrete military engagement.

Malaysia blasts ‘conspicuously muted’ response over axed Norway missile deal

Defence Minister Khaled told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Oslo’s move was ‘destructive’ to the credibility of the rules-based global order.

Russia says Ukraine drone struck Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Kyiv denies being behind the attack, calling the Russian claims ‘yet another propaganda ploy’.

Nato and Romania accuse Russia after drone hits block of flats

Drone strikes a 10-storey building in Galati, causing an explosion and civilian injuries in an apparent spillover of the Ukraine conflict.

Israel, Russia hit back after being added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts

UN documentation of alleged abuses sparks furious denials from both nations.

Opinion | 3 paths to stability in a conflict-ridden world

History moves in cycles, and today’s turbulence will settle into a new order. Will the US reassert dominance, China emerge as the leader, or will we see a world with two centres?

Opinion | What does a ‘strong, quiet, clear’ US mean for China and Asia?

Exclusive | Trump ‘personally called for China’s help’ to end Ukraine war in summit with Xi