Ukraine war

A ship carries liquefied natural gas from the Sakhalin-2 project in the Russian Far East.
Ukraine war

Japanese insurers to halt ship insurance for all of Russia

Lack of coverage for war damage could have impact on Japan's LNG imports

24 December 2022
The United States accused Pyongyang and Moscow of violating U.N. sanctions on North Korea. 
Ukraine war

U.S. says Russia's Wagner Group bought North Korean weapons

Military company accused of taking delivery to bolster forces in Ukraine war

23 December 2022
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is pushing for the electrification of Myanmar's transit system. 
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar turns to small Russian nuclear reactors for energy solution

International isolation brings countries closer for economic cooperation

22 December 2022
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said negotiations will happen "when the Russians realize that their resources are running out."
Interview

Ukraine defense minister nixes early peace talks with Moscow

Reznikov says negotiations can begin only after Russia withdraws completely

14 December 2022
Ukrainian personnel scan for unexploded ordnance and land mines by the main road to Kherson in November. Cambodia, which has faced a long battle to clear mines, is offering its know-how.
Ukraine war

Cambodia to train Ukraine land mine clearance personnel: Hun Sen

Asian countries including Japan attend Paris conference on solidarity, reconstruction

13 December 2022
Many Russian tourists can be seen on Pattaya Beach in eastern Thailand recently. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue)
Travel & Leisure

Russian tourist numbers jump in Thailand

Southeast Asian country's willing acceptance invites criticism

11 December 2022
A crude oil tanker is anchored at a terminal near the Russian port of Nakhodka on Dec. 4. Pakistan is poised to import oil from Russia by sea.
International relations

Pakistan to buy discounted Russian oil to ease economic pains

Experts downplay worries over irking U.S., Islamabad faces long wait for LNG

9 December 2022
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, shown in a file photo, said Dec. 7 that the EU wants to impose new restrictions on exports to Russia, particularly for dual-use goods including key chemicals, nerve agents, electronics and IT components. 
Ukraine war: Free to read

Ukraine from Nov. 15 to Dec. 8: EU Commission proposes 9th package of sanctions against Russia

Putin says risk of nuclear war rising but he hasn't 'gone mad'; Zelenskyy named Time magazine's Person of the Year

8 December 2022
A deal between Ukraine and Russia has enabled continued exports of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea.
Commodities

Wheat prices touch 14-month low on surging Russian exports

World's largest exporter seen easing upward pressure on food costs

8 December 2022
A German armed forces vehicle fires a self-propelled gun at the shooting range of Baumholder near Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Nov. 17.
Ukraine war

Germany struggles to get China parts to replenish ammo stockpile

Supply of military aid to Ukraine is depleting Germany's inventory

6 December 2022
A shuttered fertilizer store in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, on April 25: Carving out targeted exceptions to Western sanctions to facilitate Russian fertilizer exports would support increased food production.
Opinion

Russia war sanctions should not deprive Asia of fertilizer

Expansion of domestic grain production depends on secure access to inputs

6 December 2022
The tanker Vladimir Arsenyev at the crude oil terminal Kozmino near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia on Aug. 12.
Commodities

Russia oil export curbs put focus on demand in China and India

Price cap and EU ban on crude shipments take effect

5 December 2022
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on Nov. 30. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Interview

G-7 chair Japan must be central to Ukraine reconstruction: EBRD chief

Request comes as Tokyo struggles to find funds for bigger defense budget

2 December 2022
Leaders gather in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Nov. 11 for the 9th Heads of States Summit of Organization of Turkic States.
International relations

Turkic world sees 'risks and opportunities' as Russia stumbles

Turkey, EU, China seek to make inroads into Central Asia and the Caucasus

30 November 2022
One of 36 powerships operated by Karpowership, the flagship company of Turkey's Karadeniz Holding. Ships of this type can generate electricity using fuel oil or natural gas.
Energy

Turkish 'powership' group in talks to supply Ukraine

Karpowership says vessels could be used in Odesa if security conditions are met

29 November 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a meeting on Nov. 16 in Bali, Indonesia, with NATO and EU leaders to discuss a response to a missile blast in Poland. Turkey was not included. 
Comment

Did Biden snub Erdogan in Bali, or forget Turkey is part of NATO?

Ankara's balancing act is headache for Washington, but geography matters

26 November 2022
Hundreds of refugees sleep rough outside the Ter Apel refugee center in the Netherlands on Aug. 25.
International relations

Ukrainians embraced but Asian refugees face icy welcome in EU

Rights groups say difference in treatment exposes 'institutional racism'

25 November 2022
The G-20 summit in Bali was one of a series of high-level international meetings held over the course of 12 days this month.
International relations

From ASEAN to G-20 to APEC: 12 days of summitry summed up

India wins, Russia loses and face-to-face meetings help cool U.S.-China tempers

21 November 2022
Heavily dependent on imports for their wheat supply, many Asian countries are facing growing risks of food security in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Datawatch

Growing appetite for wheat exposes Asia's soft underbelly

Consumption up 30% in 10 years but Ukraine war threatens food security

20 November 2022
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministers managed to complete a joint statement on Nov. 18 after a year of frustration.
International relations

APEC ministers overcome Ukraine impasse to issue statement

Document echoing G-20 comes after disappointing year for host Thailand

18 November 2022
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with a soldier at a military training center for mobilized reservists on Oct. 20: Russia's president has backed himself into a corner. (Handout photo from Kremlin Press Office)
Opinion

The risk that Russia will go nuclear in Ukraine is real

Still unclear what might trigger move by Vladimir Putin

18 November 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, center, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, arrive for the APEC leaders meeting in Bangkok on Nov. 18.
International relations

APEC opens atop Russia-U.S.-China fault lines

As leaders gather, Thailand aims for pact to codify sustainability agenda

18 November 2022
A relaxed President Joko Widodo speaks to Nikkei Asia in Bali on Nov. 17 after handing over presidency of the G-20 summit to India. Jokowi said the Bali summit was successful in tamping down tensions between nations: "Considering all the raging rivalries, conflicts and war, I think the outcomes are very maximal." (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Interview

Jokowi says G-20 meetings helped cool U.S.-China tensions

Indonesia leader pleased with progress, as states finally agreed on Ukraine stance

17 November 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 16, after an emergency meeting of G-7 and NATO leaders over a missile that killed two people in Poland.
Ukraine war

Biden tells allies Poland blast was Ukrainian air-defense missile

G-7, NATO leaders held emergency meeting in Bali to weigh response

16 November 2022
World leaders attend a working session on food and energy security during the G-20 summit on Nov. 15 in Bali, Indonesia. 
G20 Summit

G-20 leaders to agree on renouncing nuclear use, war 'era': draft

Text of declaration says 'most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine'

15 November 2022