ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with Trump about Iran negotiations; Syria and Saudi Arabia signing mega strategic agreements; and Zelenskyy’s remarks about a US deadline to end the war with Russia by the summer.

TOP STORIES

• Netanyahu to meet Trump to discuss negotiations with Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington next week to discuss negotiations with Iran, according to a statement.

“The Prime Minister believes any negotiations must include limitations on ballistic missiles and a halting of the support for the Iranian axis,” Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Iran and the US resumed indirect nuclear diplomacy after weeks of heightened tensions, fueled by Trump’s threat of military action against the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as a “good start,” saying they could continue if the atmosphere of distrust is overcome. He said it was agreed that the process would continue and that the sides could reconvene in Muscat, Oman, at a later date.

Araghchi said Iran’s missile program is not subject to negotiations, now or in the future, describing it as a “defensive matter.”​​​​​​

• Syria, Saudi Arabia sign mega strategic agreements in Damascus

Syria and Saudi Arabia signed a series of mega strategic agreements in Damascus covering aviation, telecommunications, infrastructure and real estate, the SANA news agency reported.

A ceremony was held at the People’s Palace, attended by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih.

Talal al-Hilali, head of the Syrian Investment Authority, said the parties gathered to sign several “strategic agreements” in vital sectors that directly affect citizens’ lives.

The deals aim to strengthen the telecommunications infrastructure, develop digital connectivity systems and shape a new phase of partnership based on mutual trust and respect, he added.

Al-Falih said Saudi Arabia stands alongside Syria and supports its path toward recovery, growth and stability. He announced the launch of work to establish the Elaf Fund for investment in major projects and the activation of banking transfer channels between the two countries.

He said an agreement would also be signed for the Silk Link project, describing it as one of Syria’s largest digital infrastructure projects and potentially among the biggest globally.

The parties would sign what he described as the world’s largest water agreement under the sponsorship of Saudi firm ACWA Power, Al-Falih added, without providing details.

Syrian Communications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal said the country has adopted a strategy that leverages its geographic location to become an international data transit corridor. He said the Silk Link project would help “cement Syria’s position as a global connectivity hub.”

Syrian Civil Aviation Authority head Omar al-Husri also announced two major agreements: one to develop and operate Aleppo International Airport and another to establish a new low-cost national carrier named Nas Syria. He said the steps would return Syria “strongly” to the international aviation network.

• Zelenskyy says US proposing Russia, Ukraine end war ‘by the beginning of this summer’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US is proposing that Moscow and Kyiv end their nearly four-year war “by the beginning of this summer.”

“The Americans are proposing that the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer, and will probably put pressure on the parties according to this schedule,” Zelenskyy said in remarks to journalists that was published by Ukrainian media outlets.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine understands that "internal issues" in the US have an effect on the timeframe and he believes the deadline is due to the start of the election campaign for the midterm elections in the US later this year.

The US has proposed to host a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams for the first time, he said, adding that the meeting will take place “probably in Miami, in a week.”

He also said the US suggested Russia and Ukraine again support President Donald Trump's initiative to halt energy strikes, adding Kyiv has confirmed its support but Moscow has yet to do so.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Sudan accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out a drone attack targeting a humanitarian aid convoy belonging to the UN World Food Program (WFP) in North Kordofan state, resulting in casualties and the destruction of relief supplies.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced new steps to regulate social media platforms and strengthen protections for minors, saying digital spaces have enabled criminal activity, disinformation and harmful content.
• Funeral prayers were held for the victims of a suicide bombing attack at a religious site on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital.
• Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready to reach a “reassuring agreement” on uranium enrichment with the US, stressing that zero enrichment is outside the framework of negotiations.
• French financial prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into former Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter for suspected "aggravated tax fraud laundering," according to the Le Parisien newspaper.
• Iraq has received 2,250 detainees affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terror group from Syria and has begun procedures to classify them according to their level of threat, Iraqi officials said.
• Northern Morocco was struck by two minor earthquakes, as large parts of the region continue to struggle with widespread flooding that has isolated towns, submerged villages and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
• Lebanon's Hezbollah has appointed Hussein al-Abdallah to head its liaison and coordination unit, replacing senior figure Wafiq Safa, who resigned, according to media reports.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• 3rd Türkiye-China Business Conference held in Istanbul

The third Türkiye-China Business Conference was held in Istanbul, attended by business community representatives from both countries and businesspeople.

According to Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat, the conference was attended by Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), along with representatives of the business communities of both countries and a large delegation of businesspeople.

“As Türkiye and China enter the 55th year of their diplomatic relations, our expectation from this important meeting is that these contacts will turn into concrete partnerships, new investments, and agreements that enhance the quality of mutual trade,” he wrote on the Turkish social media NSosyal.

Bolat expressed hope that the conference would help generate opportunities and lasting cooperation for the business communities of both countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Türkiye Jiang Xuebin said the event was important for exchanging views on advancing economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Noting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiatives on global development, global security, global civilization and global governance, Xuebin said the initiatives “offer ideas for advancing a more open, inclusive, equitable, balanced, and win-win path of development.”

China is Türkiye’s largest trading partner, said Xuebin, and Chinese companies operating in Türkiye actively contribute to the country’s economic and social development through employment and tax revenues.