Leaders of the Quad group, which comprises the US, Japan, Australia, and India, will meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima Saturday. The decision was made after US President Joe Biden postponed a visit to Australia due to ongoing debt limit talks in Washington. Biden thanked the other Quad leaders "for their flexibility" and looks forward to rescheduling his trip, according to a statement from Karine Jean-Pierre, a White House press secretary. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian leader Narendra Modi, who are attending the G7 summit as guests, will join the quad meeting, which will focus on the group's progress. The summit will discuss enhanced cooperation on digital technology, infrastructure, submarine, and maritime awareness.
China has promised billions of dollars in "financing support and free assistance" to five Central Asian countries, boosting trade, infrastructure and technology investment and including visa-free travel arrangements. Speaking at the two-day China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an, China's President Xi Jinping presented himself as a reliable partner to nations which were formerly part of the Soviet Union, while emphasising the importance of safeguarding their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Those countries attending the summit included Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, which have been increasingly concerned over Russian efforts to regain control of Ukraine.
The US and its allies on Friday imposed new sanctions on Russia’s future energy revenues, military supply chains, and sanctions evasion in their efforts to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. More than 300 targets are covered by the sanctions, including precision electronics manufacturers, intelligence agencies, architects, and construction firms. This is just the latest in a long string of sanctions and export controls targeting Moscow, which have imposed steep curbs on the country’s economy.
The US has introduced new sanctions targeting hundreds of entities in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East, including China. Three mainland China entities and five Hong Kong-based enterprises were named among those under scrutiny as part of a coordinated Group of Seven drive to hamper Russia's ability to pursue its war against Ukraine. Sanctions covered Russia’s defence, technology, energy and metals and mining sectors, and also targeted parties linked to sanctions circumvention and evasion. The measures were designed to follow up on commitments made at the G7 leaders’ summit in Japan.
US President Joe Biden began his third day in Japan at the G7 summit with discussions aimed at rallying regional cooperation against China. On the same day, the president was also scheduled to hold a series of meetings challenging China’s expansion across the Indo-Pacific, along with members of the US, Australia, Japan and India Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. During the summit, Biden was keeping up with what is being discussed regarding the US federal debt limit. There has been tension as domestic dramas continue to hold back an image of global leadership that the US government is working hard to convey, according to reports.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a surprise visit to Hiroshima to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) economic summit after he was invited by President Joe Biden. The meeting was said to be focused on mobilising allies against the growing economic power of China, but Zelensky's appearance has overshadowed discussions around Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The G7 leaders' joint statement called on China to press Russia to stop military aggression, specifically citing the need for a comprehensive peace deal based on Ukrainian territorial integrity and UN Charter principles. According to reports, President Biden is to meet Zelensky and to provide flight training to the Ukrainian military, despite earlier dismissing Ukraine's request for F-16 fighter jets. The US President had initially planned for a longer and more ambitious trip, but cancelled stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia to focus on talks with congressional leaders over debt limitation and avoiding default.
Armed conflict between rival Sudanese factions has caused over one million people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Over 250,000 refugees have crossed into neighbouring countries since 15 April 2021, with a further 843,000 people now displaced internally. The worst fighting has been in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and in Darfur, in western Sudan, where clashes have mainly occurred between Arab and Masalit communities. Over 60,000 refugees have fled to Chad where health items, food, and protection measures are needed. Resources for refugee relief in Chad have been overstretched even before the conflict broke out, exacerbating the situation.
The US Agency for International Development has announced an additional $100m in funding for Sudan and affected countries. The money will be used to increase support for partners on the ground and funnel resources into Sudan to meet humanitarian needs caused by the fighting. Agencies also plan to move refugees from informal settlements along the border to deeper parts of Chad, before the rainy season starts in about four weeks to avoid any potential for further conflict.
US diplomat Samantha Power said the US is working to bring the two rival parties to the negotiating table to stop the fighting. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has now risen by over 50%. Reports of gender-based violence against women by militias and soldiers are on the rise. Individuals or factions seeking to take advantage of people in their time of need and refugees are also of concern. The US is calling on the forces who have unleashed war on civilians to be accountable for opening and clearing the border, so people can cross when necessary.
Japan, India, Australia and the US have pledged to create a resilient and well-connected Indo-Pacific, launching a series of initiatives while looking to establish an area “free from coercion” on the sidelines of the Hiroshima Group of Seven summit. The announcements, which came amid growing concerns over China’s influence in the region, include support for their own undersea network of cables for what the group called “trusted and secure” communications services, and scholarships aimed at bolstering infrastructure. In addition, the new initiatives include a health security partnership, while the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness will be expanded. While Beijing has derided the grouping as an Asian version of Nato, it is a broader partnership that includes infrastructure, health and climate cooperation.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he had discussions with the leader of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, about efforts to establish another short-term ceasefire in the country. Blinken added that the ceasefire was intended to help restore necessary infrastructure and ease the burden of humanitarian crisis in the conflict-ridden country.
The US and Saudi Arabia have brokered a ceasefire agreement in Sudan between the country's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after six weeks of fighting that has killed 705 people and displaced 1.1 million others. However, several previous ceasefires have been violated and there is scepticism among the Sudanese people that this one will be adhered to. The agreement will be monitored and enforced by a “US-Saudi and international-supported” mechanism, but no further details have been provided.
The US is set to sign agreements with Pacific island nations Palau and Micronesia, with hopes to do so with the Marshall Islands in the coming weeks. The new Compact of Free Association (COFA) accords are part of the US’ efforts to counter China’s influence in the Pacific. The US originally reached the COFAs with the three island states in the 1980s granting strategic access to the Pacific while, in return, Washington provided economic assistance and took on the responsibility of their defence. China has increased business in many Pacific island nations and is looking to expand its influence in the region.
Strategic pacts between the US and Pacific island states Palau and Micronesia are set to be signed next week, part of US efforts to shore up support among such states to counter competition from China. The pacts include Compact of Free Association (COFA), under which the US retains responsibility for defence and provides economic assistance while gaining exclusive access to strategic swathes of the Pacific. Earlier this month, US envoy Joseph Yun said that "topline" agreements would provide the three COFA states with a total of $6.5bn over 20 years.
Sudan’s warring factions have agreed to a temporary ceasefire after entering their sixth week of fighting. Previous ceasefire attempts have quickly collapsed, but this truce will reportedly be enforced by a “ceasefire monitoring mechanism”. The seven-day ceasefire is aimed at restoring essential services and enabling aid groups to provide sufficient assistance in Khartoum. Disputes between the regular army and the Rapid Support Force have led to over a million displacements, as essential supplies have dwindled.
The UN has warned that conflict in Sudan has displaced nearly 850,000 people internally and forced 250,000 to flee across its borders. More than half of Sudan's population is also in need of aid and protection, according to UN estimates. A ceasefire agreement between warring factions will take effect from 9:45pm Khartoum time tonight and will be enforced by a US-Saudi-supported mechanism. Last week, the US pledged over €100m to support Sudan and neighbouring countries in dealing with displaced people. The conflict in Sudan has caused needs to spiral, with the revised Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan now costing €2.36bn ($2.86bn) until the end of 2021.
Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he’s confident ‘wheels are turning’ toward his release
CNN
23-05-21 20:59
US citizen Paul Whelan, who was wrongfully detained in Russia, has spoken to CNN from his prison camp in Mordovia expressing his confidence that his case is a priority for the US government. However, he hopes his situation could be resolved faster. “I feel that my life shouldn’t be considered less valuable or important than others who have been previously traded,” he said. Whelan has been imprisoned for 52 months and has concerns that he could be left behind, particularly after the Russian authorities wrongfully detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have arrived in Papua New Guinea ahead of meetings with 14 Pacific Island leaders. They will discuss trade, climate change, and regional security. Blinken is expected to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement between the US and Papua New Guinea, as well as hold a Pacific Island leaders meeting in the afternoon. The US and its allies are increasingly concerned over China's intentions in a region covering vital sea lanes. China has recently signed a security pact with Solomon Islands.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with Pacific Island leaders in Papua New Guinea to discuss trade, climate change, and regional security. Modi will hold a bilateral meeting before hosting a summit with 14 Pacific Island leaders. Blinken is expected to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement with Papua New Guinea and hold a Pacific Island leaders meeting. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy will also join the meetings. The increased presence of the US and its allies in the region comes amid concern over China's intentions in the Pacific, following Beijing's recent signing of a security pact with Solomon Islands.
US to sign new security pact with Papua New Guinea amid competition with China
The Toronto Star
23-05-21 22:50
The United States is set to sign a new security pact with Papua New Guinea as it continues to vie for influence with China in the Pacific. The State Department said the five-year agreement would enhance the capacity of Papua New Guinea’s defence force and increase regional stability. Papua New Guinea is the most populous Pacific Island nation, with a population of almost 10 million, and its location just north of Australia makes it strategically significant. Yet some in the Pacific have responded warily to the US’s competition with China for influence, citing concern over the increasing militarisation of the area.
Papua New Guinea is set to sign a defence agreement with the US as concerns rise about China’s growing influence in the Pacific. The US State Department said the pact would boost security and strengthen bilateral relations. It has raised questions about Papua New Guinea’s relation with China, an important trading partner, and the militarisation of the region. Protests took place at several university campuses in the country. The US wants to shore up regional stability after Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands last year.
US and Papua New Guinea poised to sign defense pact as Washington, Beijing vie for influence in the Pacific
CNN
23-05-22 04:00
The US and Papua New Guinea are set to sign a new bilateral defense cooperation agreement. While the specifics are unknown, this new agreement is expected to expand US access to military facilities in Papua New Guinea, boosting Washington's presence in the South Pacific as China also jostles for influence in the region. Beijing has become a significant player in Papua New Guinea's economy as both an investor and consumer of its natural resources. The US had planned to include Papua New Guinea in US President Joe Biden's recent Asia visit but he scrapped the visit earlier this month.
