Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, US-Iran peace talks, global trade deals, defence coordination and domestic unrest shaped international developments.

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Trump says US-Iran-peace deal ‘largely negotiated’ amid ongoing talks

US President Donald Trump said a proposed agreement involving the United States, Iran and several Middle Eastern countries has been “largely negotiated”, with final details still under discussion. In a Truth Social post from the Oval Office, he said he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain regarding a memorandum of understanding on peace.

Trump also said he held a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which “went very well”. He added that final aspects of the deal are being discussed and claimed it could include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The comments come amid ongoing negotiations linked to Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and efforts to extend a ceasefire framework.

NATO Foreign Ministers gather as Rutte reaffirms Article Five and calls for faster defence production

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said alliance members remain committed to collective defence and increased military readiness following a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden. Speaking after the talks, he said allies were preparing for the upcoming summit in Ankara with a focus on defence investment, industrial production and sustained support for Ukraine.

Rutte reaffirmed that commitment to Article Five is “ironclad” and described NATO’s ability to defend all members as absolute. He also urged faster military production across Europe and North America to meet growing security demands. On Ukraine, he said allies remain committed to “substantial, predictable, and sustainable” support, while also noting wider global risks including tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

European Union and Mexico deepen strategic trade partnership with new global agreement

The European Union and Mexico have signed the Modernised Global Agreement and an Interim Trade Agreement during the 8th EU-Mexico Summit in Mexico City. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum joined European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa in announcing expanded cooperation across digital trade, finance, transport, clean technologies and government procurement.

The agreements aim to deepen economic integration between the EU and Mexico, whose annual bilateral trade exceeds €100 billion. EU officials said the deal would remove 95% of Mexican tariffs affecting EU agri-food exports while strengthening supply chains and access to critical raw materials. Both sides also included commitments on labour rights, environmental protection, anti-corruption measures and sustainable trade.

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin strengthen Russia-China cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a series of new cooperation agreements following talks in Beijing focused on strategic partnership, trade and multilateral coordination. The leaders said they had signed joint statements covering bilateral development, international cooperation and closer Eurasian economic integration.

Both sides highlighted expanding collaboration in energy, education and regional organisations including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Xi said bilateral trade had remained above US$200 billion for a third consecutive year, while Putin stated Russia-China trade reached nearly US$240 billion in 2025. 

Officials also confirmed the signing of around 40 intergovernmental and corporate agreements and launched the Russia-China Year of Education initiative aimed at strengthening academic and cultural exchanges.

Senegal government dissolved as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismisses Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the government, escalating political uncertainty in the West African country. The move follows months of reported tensions between the two leaders, who were elected in 2024 on promises of political reform, economic change and anti-establishment governance supported by younger voters.

Shortly before his dismissal, Sonko acknowledged disagreements with President Diomaye Faye, stating he would not “blindly obey” decisions. The political dispute comes as Senegal faces mounting economic pressures following a 2025 audit that reportedly uncovered hidden national debt exceeding $40bn. The International Monetary Fund estimates Senegal’s public debt at around 132% of GDP.

UK signs landmark GCC trade deal as US and Sweden expand technology partnership

The UK has signed a major trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), becoming the first G7 country to secure such a deal with the bloc comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement would support jobs, wages and investment through lower tariffs, expanded services access and faster customs procedures. 

The government estimates the deal could add £3.7bn annually to the UK economy, although rights groups raised concerns over labour protections and human rights.

Meanwhile, the United States and Sweden signed a Technology Prosperity Deal during the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Helsingborg. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the agreement would expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, telecommunications, defence innovation and space technology.

Narendra Modi expands India’s strategic partnerships with Nordic countries;India and Italy upgrade ties to Special Strategic Partnership

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nordic leaders agreed at the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo to expand cooperation in green technology, clean energy, Arctic research, defence and advanced innovation. Leaders announced plans for a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership, alongside collaboration on 6G telecommunications, cybersecurity, health technology and talent mobility. Modi also highlighted the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and progress on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Meanwhile, India and Italy upgraded bilateral relations to a Special Strategic Partnership following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. The agreement includes expanded defence cooperation, AI and quantum technology projects, critical minerals partnerships and a target to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.

Pakistan and China sign technology and trade agreements; Beijing and Moldova expand bilateral co-operation

Pakistan and China signed two cooperation agreements in Zhejiang Province as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began a four-day visit to China focused on economic, technological and regional cooperation. 

The agreements include a sister-province partnership between Punjab and Zhejiang and plans for a China-Pakistan Joint Technology Research Center at Hangzhou Normal University. Discussions are also expected on the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), renewable energy, digital connectivity and regional security issues, including the US-Iran conflict.

Meanwhile, China and Moldova reaffirmed efforts to expand bilateral cooperation during talks in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi, covering trade, green energy, digital economy and multilateral co-ordination.

Japan, South Korea strengthen energy security partnership; Botswana and South Africa deepen regional ties

Japan and South Korea have agreed to strengthen bilateral energy co-operation amid concerns over disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis and wider Middle East instability. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced plans covering joint oil-reserve storage, refined fuel sharing and expanded liquefied natural gas swap arrangements to improve regional energy security and supply-chain resilience.

Meanwhile, Botswana and South Africa signed four cooperation agreements during the sixth Bi-National Commission. Botswana President Duma Boko and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the accords would enhance collaboration on water management, aviation safety, energy security and correctional services, with implementation work set to begin immediately through joint technical teams.

Rodrigo Paz faces mounting unrest in Bolivia; Serbian protesters call for reforms; Spain demonstrations focus on corruption allegations

Bolivia’s political crisis intensified as protests, highway blockades and clashes in La Paz increased pressure on President Rodrigo Paz six months into office. Indigenous groups, unions and workers criticised economic policies, cabinet appointments and governance reforms, while former President Evo Morales mobilised supporters demanding Paz’s resignation. Authorities reported more than 120 detentions amid violence involving miners and riot police.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands protested in Serbia and Spain. Serbian students demanded early elections and anti-corruption reforms following the 2024 rail station tragedy, while demonstrations in Madrid called for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s resignation over corruption controversies linked to figures associated with the governing Socialist Party.

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