Russia launched two fighter planes on Monday to prevent two US drones from violating the Black Sea border, as stated by the Russian Defence Ministry. According to a government statement, the drones were seen in Crimea and were heading towards the Russian border on an intelligence mission.
Turkey President Tayyip Erdogan will visit Russia very soon to address the failing UN deal that enabled Black Sea exports of Ukrainian grain, a spokesperson for Turkey’s governing AK Party said on Monday. The AK Party’s spokesperson, Omer Celik, said Erdogan will visit Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi “soon,” but did not specify whether he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka for two days during the coming weekend. According to reports, Singh will visit Trincomalee, where India is jointly investing in the development of Oil Tank farm, an agreement signed in January 2022.
Indian PM Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, including the recently concluded BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, and reviewed progress on various issues of bilateral cooperation. Putin conveyed his inability to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi on 9-10 September 2023 and informed that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia in his stead.
US President Joe Biden will visit Vietnam on 10 September to meet with the leader of the ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, the White House announced on Monday. The stop in Hanoi, following a multi-day visit to India for the G20 summit, comes as the US attempts to counter China’s influence in the region.
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo discussed concerns surrounding restrictions on American businesses including Intel and Micron Technology with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Monday. They also addressed China’s recent curbs on gallium and germanium exports.