Russia AN 24 Plane Crash live: Russian plane Antonov-24 passenger plane carrying about 40 people went missing near China border as air traffic controllers lost contact with the pilot, local emergencies ministry said.

China must use its influence on Russia to ensure it abides by the United Nations (UN) Charter and halts its full-scale war against Ukraine, European Council President António Costa says, as la Repubblica reports.

Russia’s gas output declined in the first half of the year as higher exports to China and increased domestic demand failed to make up for lost flows to Europe via Ukraine.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping told visiting European Union leaders that Europe should make “the right strategic choice” and enhance cooperation with China for global “stability,” as the two sides tackle deep-seated grievances at a key summit.

E.U. leaders are in Beijing to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations with China, but they have major disagreements over trade and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The US ambassador to NATO said China needed to be “called out for their subsidizing” of Russia’s war in Ukraine as the Trump administration ratchets up its threat to impose tariffs if Moscow does not agree to a peace deal.

Iran schedules diplomatic meetings with Russia, China and European nations as the deadline approaches for a new nuclear deal to avoid the reimposition of U.N. Security Council sanctions.

"Cooperation among China, Russia, and India not only aligns with the respective interests of the three countries, but also contributes to regional and global peace, security, stability, and progress," the spokesperson, Lin Jian, told a regular briefing in Beijing.

China has welcomed the agreement between Kyiv and Moscow on another prisoner exchange and expressed hope for a political resolution to the conflict. — Ukrinform.

Beijing is reportedly circumventing Western sanctions by discreetly shipping Chinese-made drone engines to a state-owned Russian manufacturer, labeling them as "industrial refrigeration units" to avoid detection.

"Strengthening air defense capabilities is clearly an urgent priority for Iran at the moment," expert Hongda Fan told Newsweek.