Steve Inskeep

I'm Steve Inskeep with Michelle Martin, and this is Up First from NPR News. Negotiators from the United States and Ukraine met in Saudi Arabia over the weekend to iron out a ceasefire deal with Russia. But as bombs keep falling on Kyiv, is a real truce even possible?

I'm Steve Inskeep with Michelle Martin, and this is Up First from NPR News. Negotiators from the United States and Ukraine met in Saudi Arabia over the weekend to iron out a ceasefire deal with Russia. But as bombs keep falling on Kyiv, is a real truce even possible?

I'm Steve Inskeep with Michelle Martin, and this is Up First from NPR News. Negotiators from the United States and Ukraine met in Saudi Arabia over the weekend to iron out a ceasefire deal with Russia. But as bombs keep falling on Kyiv, is a real truce even possible?

Israel is considering a ground invasion to fully occupy the territory within a few months and establish Israeli military rule over Palestinians there. It's unclear whether these plans will actually be carried out. We do know that Israel resumed its war in Gaza, where Palestinians have updated their death count, saying it surpassed 50,000.

Israel is considering a ground invasion to fully occupy the territory within a few months and establish Israeli military rule over Palestinians there. It's unclear whether these plans will actually be carried out. We do know that Israel resumed its war in Gaza, where Palestinians have updated their death count, saying it surpassed 50,000.

Israel is considering a ground invasion to fully occupy the territory within a few months and establish Israeli military rule over Palestinians there. It's unclear whether these plans will actually be carried out. We do know that Israel resumed its war in Gaza, where Palestinians have updated their death count, saying it surpassed 50,000.

I think Bibi feels that he's doing the right thing. I think he goes up against public opinion because public opinion there wants those hostages home.

I think Bibi feels that he's doing the right thing. I think he goes up against public opinion because public opinion there wants those hostages home.

I think Bibi feels that he's doing the right thing. I think he goes up against public opinion because public opinion there wants those hostages home.

Ukraine's defense minister called these conversations productive. The Americans meet the Russians next. So far, both sides have agreed to stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure, although Ukraine's president says that is far from a genuine ceasefire.

Ukraine's defense minister called these conversations productive. The Americans meet the Russians next. So far, both sides have agreed to stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure, although Ukraine's president says that is far from a genuine ceasefire.

Ukraine's defense minister called these conversations productive. The Americans meet the Russians next. So far, both sides have agreed to stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure, although Ukraine's president says that is far from a genuine ceasefire.

This is where China's second highest government official spoke this week. Li Chang addressed a big business forum here. There were a lot of international CEOs in the room, including Americans like Tim Cook of Apple, and they heard him suggest that China, not the U.S., is the stable country now, the country that plays by the rules, he said.

This is where China's second highest government official spoke this week. Li Chang addressed a big business forum here. There were a lot of international CEOs in the room, including Americans like Tim Cook of Apple, and they heard him suggest that China, not the U.S., is the stable country now, the country that plays by the rules, he said.

This is where China's second highest government official spoke this week. Li Chang addressed a big business forum here. There were a lot of international CEOs in the room, including Americans like Tim Cook of Apple, and they heard him suggest that China, not the U.S., is the stable country now, the country that plays by the rules, he said.

Now, the Chinese premier did not mention Donald Trump or tariffs, but did speak of rising instability in the world and called for open markets. Our colleague Anthony Kuhn is here in Beijing. He's a longtime China watcher. And Anthony, it's great to be face to face with you since we normally talk over thousands of miles on the line.

Now, the Chinese premier did not mention Donald Trump or tariffs, but did speak of rising instability in the world and called for open markets. Our colleague Anthony Kuhn is here in Beijing. He's a longtime China watcher. And Anthony, it's great to be face to face with you since we normally talk over thousands of miles on the line.

Now, the Chinese premier did not mention Donald Trump or tariffs, but did speak of rising instability in the world and called for open markets. Our colleague Anthony Kuhn is here in Beijing. He's a longtime China watcher. And Anthony, it's great to be face to face with you since we normally talk over thousands of miles on the line.

Thank you very much. Glad to be here. What is China doing with remarks like that about about the situation in the world?

Thank you very much. Glad to be here. What is China doing with remarks like that about about the situation in the world?