Geopolitical and Diplomatic

Russia-Ukraine War and Peace Talks:

There is significant activity surrounding potential peace talks to end the war. The US, with President Trump, is working to arrange a bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A recent summit in Washington included Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. Reports suggest a possible location for a future Putin-Zelenskyy meeting is Budapest, Hungary, though no final decision has been made.

Middle East:

Israel is reviewing a Gaza ceasefire proposal that Hamas has accepted. The proposal could lead to a 60-day pause in fighting and the release of some hostages. Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister has approved a plan to conquer Gaza City. Protests within Israel are also continuing, with people calling for a hostage deal and a ceasefire.

Trade and Tariffs:

US tariffs, particularly those imposed by the Trump administration on countries like Canada, India, and Brazil, are a major point of discussion. The White House has stated that sanctions on India are aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. These tariffs are also a factor in warming relations between India and China, as they seek to strengthen their own trade ties in response.