Putin’s conditions on Ukraine war, ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and train hijack in Pakistan: the world this week

Putin’s hard line on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that any pause in the conflict in Ukraine must lead to a comprehensive resolution addressing its “root causes.” “The idea in itself is correct, and we support it unconditionally. But there are issues that we must discuss,” Putin said at a press conference, emphasising that a ceasefire can only work if it leads to a final settlement. He warned that without these conditions, Ukrainian forces could “retreat, regroup and re-arm,” potentially undermining Russian advances, notably in regions such as Kursk.

Adding to the situation’s complexity, US and Ukrainian delegations met in Saudi Arabia this week to negotiate an interim 30-day ceasefire covering land, sea, and air operations. However, Putin’s preconditions, including Ukraine’s recognition of Russia’s annexation of parts of southeastern regions and Crimea, withdrawal from these territories, and a firm commitment to never joining Nato, indicate that Moscow sees these terms as essential for “solving the root causes” of the conflict.

In response, US President Donald Trump described Putin’s remarks as “a very promising statement” yet “incomplete,” noting that his team was engaged in “very serious discussions” with the Russian leader. Trump’s comments reveal the high stakes: detailed discussions have already touched on “pieces of land that would be kept and lost” as well as the allocation of energy assets.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labelled Putin’s response as “manipulative” and emphasised the need for additional sanctions on Russia. Zelenskyy also highlighted the irony in Putin’s reluctance to commit, remarking that while the Russian president “doesn’t say no directly,” his practical preparations point to an outright rejection of any ceasefire that fails to meet Moscow’s stringent demands.

The dialogue reflects broader geopolitical tensions. Russia’s insistence on a rollback of Nato’s eastward expansion and its demand for limits on Ukraine’s armed forces to just 50,000 personnel, signals an effort to reconfigure the security landscape in Eastern Europe. As both sides continue to negotiate, the ceasefire debate remains a microcosm of the wider struggle over regional influence and security guarantees.

Key developments:

· Putin demanded Ukraine recognise Russia’s annexation of four southeastern regions and Crimea, withdraw its troops, and pledge never to join Nato.

· US and Ukrainian delegations met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a 30-day ceasefire and long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.

· Trump called Putin’s comments “very promising” but noted that “a lot of details” still need to be resolved.

· Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticised Putin’s response as “manipulative” and called for additional sanctions on Russia.

· Russia continues to advance militarily along the nearly 1,000 km frontline, complicating ceasefire discussions.

China conducts annual parliamentary meeting

China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) recently wrapped up its annual parliamentary session, sending a multi-layered message to investors and global policymakers. In a week-long gathering that brought together about 5,000 delegates, Chinese leaders underlined their commitment to “stabilising both development and security” amid an increasingly volatile international environment.

At a press conference, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “The world today is interwoven with turmoil, and certainty is increasingly becoming a scarce resource globally.” This statement underscored China’s dual aim: to project an image of stability and to assure both domestic and international audiences that Beijing is prepared to steer the nation through complex challenges.

Premier Li Qiang’s work report further amplified this message. Notably, he introduced the term “embodied AI” — a reference to AI-powered robots and machines that signal Beijing’s intent to innovate in high technology. The report also revealed an 8.3 per cent rise in tech-sector spending for 2025, a figure that dwarfs fiscal spending increases and hints at a strategic pivot toward domestic technological advancement. As one delegate put it, “Humanoid robots have a promising future,” a sentiment echoed by experts who see this as a critical response to what they term “the American technology chokehold.”

Yet, the meeting was not solely about technological prowess. Chinese officials also discussed the challenges facing the economy, including reduced foreign direct investment and a “complex and severe situation of increasing external pressure.”

Parallel meetings with provincial delegations stressed the importance of bolstering domestic demand while also expanding alliances with emerging economies, particularly those in the global south. This nuanced balancing act reflects Beijing’s recognition that economic resilience and strategic partnerships will be vital in countering a more hostile international order.

Key takeaways:

· Premier Li Qiang emphasised boosting domestic demand and technological self-sufficiency, with AI development highlighted as a priority.

· Beijing pledged increased funding for tech innovation, particularly in AI and semiconductor manufacturing, in response to US-led restrictions on Chinese access to advanced chips.

· Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s commitment to the Global South, positioning Beijing as a stabilising force in an uncertain world.

Iran, Russia and China conduct joint military drills

In the Gulf of Oman, warships from Iran, China, and Russia embarked on their annual Security Belt-2025 naval exercises, marking the fifth such joint drill since 2019. These manoeuvres are not just military routines, they are deliberate displays of a deepening strategic partnership among countries that share a common interest in countering Western influence.

The drills come at a time when Trump has been reconfiguring longstanding alliances, emphasising that the US is “stronger than all of them” despite the growing coordination among its adversaries. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seized the opportunity to criticise the West, accusing Washington of “insisting on negotiations” that aim to “dominate and impose their own expectations.” This rhetoric highlights the broader ideological divide: while the West seeks to uphold a rules-based international order, this emerging axis of authoritarianism is increasingly prepared to set its own terms.

The exercise not only demonstrates military interoperability but also serves as a counterpoint to the US “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran. Analysts argue that the drills symbolise a unified response to perceived external threats, reinforcing the idea that the growing partnerships among Iran, Russia, and China could alter the balance of power on a global scale.

India balances ties with Iran (via the Chabahar port), Russia, and the US. These drills could impact Gulf stability, affecting India’s energy security and regional interests.

Key developments:

· The US downplayed the drills, with Trump stating, “We’re stronger than all of them.”

· Iran accused Washington of trying to impose excessive restrictions, particularly regarding its nuclear program.

· US lawmakers warned that growing ties between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea could pose a multifaceted challenge to Western interests.

Jaffar Express attack

The attack on the Jaffar Express has cast a long shadow over Pakistan’s security landscape. The train, carrying 440 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by armed militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Over the 30-hour siege, hostages were subjected to extreme terror — some remaining motionless on the floor for up to 27 hours, while others could only gasp in shock as the attackers executed passengers.

Train driver Amjad said, “As soon as the train stopped, BLA terrorists launched an attack. They breached the train by smashing windows, but they mistakenly believed we were dead.”

In a final military operation, Pakistani security forces killed all 33 militants involved, and 21 civilians and four security personnel also died.

The attack also underscored the ethnic and regional tensions at play. Survivors reported that the militants even separated passengers based on their region of origin, a grim reminder of the long-standing grievances that fuel insurgency in the region. BLA’s claim of holding 214 hostages and executing “captive enemy personnel” only deepens the narrative of a group determined to leverage violence to force political concessions.

National leaders and security officials have denounced the attack as “a cowardly act of terrorism,” highlighting the urgent need to address the deteriorating security situation in a nation already beset by multiple challenges.

Key details:

· Survivors described a brutal attack where militants targeted passengers based on their regional origin.

· The BLA demanded the release of its activists in exchange for hostages.

· Pakistan accused India of “sponsoring terrorism,” a claim India strongly denied, stating that Islamabad should “look inwards.”

Tensions in the Philippines

In one of the week’s most dramatic developments, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was transferred to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his notorious anti-drug campaign. Arrested on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant — issued over operations that left thousands dead — Duterte’s detention has ignited fierce political debates and highlighted deep-seated rivalries.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr defended the arrest, arguing that it was “in compliance with our commitments to Interpol” and necessary for upholding international law. In stark contrast, Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter and current vice president, decried the move as a “blatant affront to our sovereignty.” Video footage from Villamor air base showed Duterte boarding an aircraft for The Hague, symbolising a pivotal moment in what has become a bitter feud between political dynasties.

Duterte’s arrest is not only about legal accountability but also reflects a broader struggle over the nation’s geopolitical orientation. While Duterte’s policies once aligned more closely with a pro-China stance, President Marcos Jr has been steering the Philippines back toward traditional US alliances. The public spat underscores that the internal political dynamics of the Philippines continue to be as volatile as its external relations.

Key points:

· Duterte was transferred to The Hague, with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, calling it a “blatant affront to sovereignty.”

· President Ferdinand Marcos Jr insisted the arrest complied with international obligations, amid an ongoing political feud between the two families.

· ICC accuses Duterte of overseeing systematic killings of thousands of civilians under his anti-drug campaign.

Mass killings in Syria

Syria once again plunged into violence as forces loyal to ousted president Bashar al-Assad have launched attacks along the Mediterranean coast. A shadowy group, calling itself the Military Council to Liberate Syria, has declared an insurgency against the government led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This outbreak of violence, which has already resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, has raised fears of a resurgence of loyalist insurgency that could undo years of tenuous stability.

UN officials have verified the killing of at least 111 civilians since the violence erupted, though many believe the true number is much higher. Eyewitness accounts describe summary executions carried out in a manner that appears distinctly sectarian, with predominantly Alawite areas targeted. A UN spokesperson noted that “entire families, including women and children, were killed” in some cases. The violence has compelled the government to impose curfews and deploy reinforcements in the affected regions, while also prompting calls for an independent investigation into the brutal tactics employed by armed groups.

The renewed clashes not only highlight the ongoing challenges of post-civil war Syria but also underscore the difficulty of forging national unity in a landscape scarred by decades of conflict. As the government grapples with a potentially fractious opposition and the economic burden of rebuilding, the situation in Syria remains one of the most volatile in the region.

Key details:

· Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, promised accountability but struggles to contain sectarian violence.

· The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that entire families were executed.

· UN Human Rights Office described the killings as “disturbing” and warned of escalating humanitarian crises.

EU migrant hubs plan

To address what it describes as a failing return policy, the European Union is preparing to implement a controversial plan to relocate hundreds of thousands of migrants to “return hubs” outside the bloc. Vice-President Henna Virkkunen of the European Commission criticised the current system, arguing that its inefficacy has “fuelled the rise of far-right parties” across member states.

Under the proposed scheme, a unified return decision would be applied EU-wide to prevent asylum seekers from moving between countries to avoid deportation. Migrants whose claims have been rejected and who do not cooperate by, for instance, destroying identity documents, could face detention for up to two years. German political heavyweight Friedrich Merz, campaigning on tougher migration policies, has called for stricter border controls and an entry ban for asylum seekers. Such proposals are seen as a necessary response to the perceived security risks posed by irregular migration, despite concerns raised by humanitarian groups.

Magnus Brunner, the EU migration commissioner, argued that “removing those without a right to stay is vital” to prevent abuse of the system. However, the plan has been met with strong criticism from members of European Parliament (MEPs) representing centre-left and Green parties, who label the hubs as draconian measures likely to lead to human rights abuses. By emphasising that unaccompanied minors and families with children would be exempt from these measures, EU aims to balance enforcement with adherence to international human rights standards — a challenge that remains at the forefront of migration debates in Europe.

Key points:

· The proposal aims to curb illegal immigration amid rising far-right influence in European politics.

· Migrants would be sent to hubs only after their asylum claims are rejected.

· The plan faces criticism from human rights groups and opposition from left-leaning EU politicians.

Questions

1. How do Putin’s demands for a ceasefire reflect Russia’s broader geopolitical goals?

2. What challenges does China face in balancing economic growth with national security?

3. How do Iran, Russia, and China’s military ties affect India’s security and foreign policy?

4. What does the Jaffar train attack reveal about Pakistan’s internal security challenges?

5. How could Duterte’s ICC trial impact political dynamics in the Philippines?

6. What steps can Syria’s interim government take to prevent further sectarian violence?

7. How might the EU’s new migration policy affect global migration patterns and India’s diaspora?