The market tends to shrug off even the most worrisome geopolitical events, just as it did with the U.S. airstrikes on Iran last month.

China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing, days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. Putin has sometimes described China as an "ally".

China hit back at "illegal unilateral sanctions" after U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said Beijing would be among those to feel the pain of his proposed legislation, which would slap up to a 500 percent secondary tariff on those trading with Russia.

China believes that the United States' tightening of anti-Russian sanctions does not contribute to the resolution of the “Ukrainian conflict,” which can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations.

President Vladimir Putin intends to keep fighting in Ukraine until the West engages on his terms for peace, unfazed by Donald Trump's threats of tougher sanctions, and his territorial demands may widen as Russian forces advance,

I, Daniel Richard Martindale, voluntarily and consciously, accepting the citizenship of the Russian Federation, swear to observe the constitution,” he said in Russian.

Elbridge Colby’s memo highlighting U.S. weapons shortages influenced the decision to pause some arms shipments to Ukraine.

Donald Trump’s remarks on Ukraine on Monday were far from the biggest announcement the US president could have made.

Speaking to Current Time, Russian political scientist Natalia Shevshkova noted comments from Wang after his recent European tour were a sign that Beijing has “grown bolder” in its rhetoric to where "it’s no longer Eastern diplomacy, but rather outright, almost rude behavior."

Graham specifically called out India, criticising the South Asian nation for buying discounted Russian oil and “reselling” it, which he claims indirectly funds Putin’s military campaign.