Ata mārie and welcome to your Monday recap of global business and political news.
First up, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined his conditions for a peace deal ahead of meeting US President Donald Trump, the ABC reported.
Zelensky urged Trump to strengthen sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin dismissed a three-way meeting. Zelensky travels to Washington DC to meet Trump on Monday local time.
On Friday, Trump and Putin’s peace summit in Alaska failed to bring about a ceasefire. Trump said a full peace deal was the necessary next step. Putin outlined demands for Ukrainian territory during the talks, including the Donbas region, Reuters reported.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Putin agreed to allow the US and European nations to give Ukraine “Article Five-like protection” as a security guarantee to bring an end to the war, CNBC reported.
It was the “first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she welcomed the security guarantees for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron warned Europe must remain tough on Russia in order to avoid future conflicts, CNN reported.
“We must enter into a new diplomatic phase … one in which we have to defend European interests,” Macron said.
More than a half-dozen leaders from Europe also planned to visit the White House talks alongside Zelensky.
“We are going tomorrow to defend Ukraine and to defend ourselves,” Macron said. “Do I think President Putin wants peace? The answer is no. If you want my personal conviction, no. Do I think President Trump wants peace? Yes. I don’t think President Putin wants peace. I think he wants Ukraine to surrender.”
In the Middle East, Israeli attacks killed at least 57 Palestinians across Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s decision to force Palestinians towards southern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned anti-war protests across the country and claimed they were encouraging Hamas to maintain its position in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
Elsewhere, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said job creation would be the government’s key priority amid risks from trade barriers and artificial intelligence, Bloomberg reported.
“This next chapter opens in a more troubled and turbulent world,” Wong said.
In his first major address since May’s election, Wong outlined plans for the economy, including new housing.
“Ultimately, our economic strategy is about jobs, jobs, and jobs – that’s our No 1 priority. We will do more to help Singaporeans seize new job opportunities.”
Trade Minister Todd McClay.
Back home, Trade Minister Todd McClay will travel to Saudi Arabia and the US this week to meet trade and agriculture counterparts.
In Washington DC, McClay meets US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other industry representatives, think tanks, and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
“The US currently faces an average tariff of just 0.3% when exporting to New Zealand, far lower than what we face into their market.
“It’s important that we raise these concerns constructively, while reaffirming our commitment to the strong, cooperative relationship we have with the United States.”
Air Canada delayed resumption of flights after a flight attendants’ union defied an order to end its strike action, Bloomberg reported.
About 240 flights scheduled to start on Sunday afternoon local time were cancelled. Services were due to restart on Monday evening.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees “illegally directed” its flight attendant members to ignore an order to return to work, according to Air Canada. The union described the order as “blatantly unconstitutional”.
