Russian President Vladimir Putin recently had phone conversations with some key world leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the possibility of peace talks with the United States.
Putin also spoke with the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The main focus was the conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s plans for talks with the U.S. China’s President Xi Jinping welcomed the ongoing communication between Russia and the U.S., saying it’s a positive step toward a political solution. But the details of Putin’s conversation with Xi haven’t been made public.
Before these calls, Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Biegun for three hours to talk about the Ukraine war. After that meeting, he updated the other leaders about the discussions with the U.S.
Putin and Trump to Meet as U.S. Maintains Pressure with Tariffs
Putin is also scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on August 15. The meeting is expected to focus on possible ceasefire talks in Ukraine. Trump has warned that if no deal is reached, the U.S. will impose a 100% tariff on Russian and European oil imports.
Trump also said India and China could face similar tariffs. India currently pays a 25% tariff on Russian oil, with the possibility of an extra 25% soon. But if a ceasefire is agreed upon, these tariffs might be lifted.
As Russia, China, India, and other regional players ramp up diplomatic talks on Ukraine, the U.S. continues to put pressure on Russia through economic sanctions. The world is watching closely to see what happens next.
