Trump, Putin Discuss Military Spending Cuts; Xi Rejects Proposal

Recent developments indicate a surprising alignment between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, particularly regarding defense spending. Trump proposed that the U.S., Russia, and China cut their military budgets by half, a suggestion welcomed by Putin, who expressed a willingness to negotiate such cuts. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping of China has rejected this proposal, asserting that China will not participate in any reductions amid its ongoing military expansion. In a related context, the U.S. has shifted its stance on the Ukraine war by refusing to condemn Russia's actions at the United Nations, signaling a potential realignment in U.S. foreign policy. This shift has raised concerns among Western allies, as it may deepen ties between the U.S. and Russia while alienating Ukraine and European nations. Despite these dynamics, Xi and Putin reaffirmed their strong bilateral relationship, emphasizing their partnership's resilience against external pressures, particularly from the U.S.