**Russian and Chinese Leaders Plan Meeting Amid G7 Summit Tensions**
In a phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to meet in China next month. The meeting is set to take place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, with bilateral talks scheduled for September 2.
According to Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, the two leaders discussed their upcoming meeting and noted the “rough edges” that emerged among G7 leaders during their recent summit. The comment is seen as a veiled reference to the tensions and disagreements that arose during the G7 summit in Canada last month.
**G7 Summit Fallout**
The G7 summit was marked by disagreements over a joint statement, with the US pushing for watered-down language on Russia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eventually issued a summary of the meeting, which stated that G7 leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
However, the summit was marred by controversy after President Trump left early to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East, snubbing a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite this, Zelensky was able to secure additional pledges of military support from Canada and new sanctions imposed against Russia’s energy sector.
**Russian Aggression Continues**
Despite calls for a ceasefire, Russian forces have continued their aggressive actions in Ukraine. The country’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, urged international pressure to push Moscow toward peace, citing the failure of previous ceasefires to hold.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 40 drones and intercepted 48 others using electronic warfare, while nine people were injured and residential infrastructure was damaged in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast. The number of casualties among Russian forces has also risen, with over 1,000 reported just over the past day.
**Global Reaction**
The international community has condemned Russia’s actions, with top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas citing a sharp increase in Russia’s military spending and accusing Moscow of prioritizing defense over social policies. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed news of the Russian occupation leader’s death, saying it was “really great news”.
Meanwhile, former US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink announced her next mission as fighting for what’s right at home. The US Senate has also postponed action on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill until at least July.
**Next Steps**
As tensions continue to rise, the world waits with bated breath for Putin and Xi’s meeting in China. Will their meeting bring a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, or will it further escalate the situation? Only time will tell.
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