China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran push back on Trump ambitions in or near Afghanistan

Trump’s administration has been exploring options for keeping a military footprint in Afghanistan - a move that Russia has already said would have catasrophic consequences.

Lockheed Martin unveils Vectis drone for collaborative combat missions

US-based Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has introduced the Vectis, a Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft designed to operate alongside fifth-generation and next-generation fighter jets.

European diplomats warn Kremlin that Nato is prepared to shoot planes over its airspace

European diplomats warned the Kremlin that Nato is prepared to shoot down any Russian fighter jets that violate their airspace, as military tensions between the EU and Russia continue to mount.

Trump lavishes praise on Erdogan in White House meeting and suggests Turkey stop buying Russian oil and gas

Some big military and civilian aircraft deals may be in the making, but the deal-making remains behind closed doors.

Kremlin slams Trump’s Ukraine U-turn, war the only alternative

The Kremlin slammed US President Donald Trump’s U-turn on Ukraine delivered during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23 saying the only option is to continue the war.

Austria's OMV fires senior exec for Russian espionage

Austrian energy and chemicals group OMV has fired a long-serving executive over suspicions of espionage for Russia, and Vienna has summoned a Russian diplomat in connection with the case.

China sends its first east-west cargo ship via Russia’s Arctic Northern route

The first ever Chinese cargo vessel departed from the massive Ningbo-Zhoushan port on September 22 bound for Felixstowe in the UK via Russia’s frozen Northern Route, in an experiment that could have a major impact on Sino-European trade.

Trump does an about-turn on Ukraine as his “minerals diplomacy” with Russia fails

Donald Trump did an abrupt about-turn on Ukraine during an hour-long rambling speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), saying Ukraine could recapture all its lost territory in the war with Russia.

Russia steps up propaganda ahead of election with claim EU plans to “occupy” Moldova

President Maia Sandu warns Russian interference threatens Moldova's sovereignty, independence and European future.

US moves to retake Bagram would have “catastrophic consequences”

The Taliban military chief said Afghans had “fought well to defend their independence” and should the US consider a military operation, would continue to do so in the face of any challenge to the country’s sovereignty.

Pilgrims defy war to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in Ukrainian city of Uman

Serbia to sign new gas supply deal with Russia in October

Serbia, which imported about 3bn cubic metres of Russian gas in 2024, remains among the most energy-dependent countries in Europe.

IMF presses Ukraine to raise budget funding estimate to $65bn

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pushed Ukraine to increase its estimate of foreign financing needs through 2027 to about $65bn, significantly higher than the government’s initial projection of $38bn.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has

"Don’t come here to whine" if Nato downs your jets, Poland’s Sikorski warns Russia at UN

Polish foreign minister's rebuke follows incursion into Estonia airspace by Russian MIG-31s and drone violations over Poland and Romanian.

Cairo and Moscow seal 49-year pact on Russian Industrial Zone on shore of Egypt's Suez Canal

The Russian Industrial Zone (RIZ) will be located in Ain Sokhna, within Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone -- a vital maritime artery that links the Mediterranean and Red seas and provides the fastest sea passage between Europe and Asia.

US presses India on Russian oil in trade talks

The United States has raised India’s oil purchases from Russia as part of ongoing trade negotiations, even as Indian refiners continue to increase such imports to meet domestic demand

EU finance ministers discuss Ukraine's Reparations Loan but no decision yet

EU finance ministers met in Copenhagen on September 20 to discuss tapping the cash pile of frozen Central Bank of Russia (CBR) money and using it to make a large Reparation Loans to Ukraine, but no final decision has been reached.

North Korean leader oversees test of AI-powered attack drones

Pyongyang unveiled its first attack drones last year, a move that experts warned was closely linked to its growing military partnership with Russia, and may also be linked to Chinese agencies supplying Pyongyang with technical support.

EU passes nineteenth sanctions package, accelerates LNG phase out

The European Commission has published proposals for a 19th sanctions package against Russia that would tighten curbs on energy trade and payments, with new measures aimed at oil refineries, oil traders and petrochemical companies in third countries.

Poland closes its border with Belarus, cutting off China's rail link to Europe

Poland’s decision to close its border with Belarus in response to the quadrennial Zapad-2025 military exercises and Russian drone incursion on September 10 has abruptly severed one of the fastest-growing trade arteries between China and the EU.