Reuters – U.S. accuses five firms in China of supporting Russia’s military

U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration added five companies in China to a trade blacklist on Tuesday for allegedly supporting Russia’s military and defense industrial base, flexing its muscle to enforce sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Nikkei Asia – Japan election platforms show split on amending pacifist constitution

NHK World – Turkey backs NATO bids for Finland, Sweden

Leaders in Finland and Sweden have seen what is happening in Ukraine and decided they would be better off under NATO’s protection. However, their bid ran into opposition from Turkish leaders. Now, they have reached an agreement.

The foreign ministers of the three countries signed a memorandum confirming Turkey’s support on Wednesday at the NATO summit in Madrid. Finland and Sweden will attend the summit as “invitees.”

Foreign Policy – Pyongyang’s Not Picking Up the Phone

Seoul and Washington have pledged they’re ready to talk with a nuclear-testing North Korea—but they’re not getting any response.

Hindustan Times – India-Canada ties: Modi, Trudeau hold talks at G7 summit

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first in-person bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in over four years in Germany on Monday.

A tweet from India’s prime minister’s office noted the two leaders “took stock of India-Canada friendship and discussed ways to further strengthen it across various sectors”.

Nikkei Asia – India, EU resume free trade talks after near-decade freeze