Russian diplomat, Deputy Foreign Minister since 2008
G7 leaders have pledged tougher sanctions and stepped-up industrial support for Ukraine after meetings in Evian, but U.S.-led mediation has stalled while President Trump has shifted focus to the Middle East. Russia has accused the U.S. of abandoning neutral mediation, and Russian strikes and Ukrainian long-range drone attacks have recently hit Russian infrastructure and Kyiv's historic Lavra monastery.
The Kremlin has made a show of defiance while Ukrainian strikes disrupt Russian fuel networks. Putin has admitted the strikes are painful, but demands a peace framework anchored in the Istanbul accords and expanded territorial goals. Moscow is doubling down even as fuel shortages bite. Follow developments as Western allies recalibrate support.
China is calibrating its Tehran relationship ahead of Xi’s Washington visit. Xi meets Iran’s Pezeshkian on the sidelines of SCO, signaling Beijing’s careful diplomacy while avoiding a public show of alignment. The SCO communique supports civilian nuclear development but stops short of concrete commitments.