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The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2781 on Friday, extending the arms embargo on South Sudan and targeted sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes, until May 31, 2026. Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, China, Pakistan, and Russia voted nine times in support of the resolution, with six abstentions.

The Council also extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the South Sudan Sanctions Committee until July 1, 2026. The resolution emphasizes the Council's readiness to revisit sanctions based on progress made toward benchmarks outlined in Resolution 2577 (2021), according to Xinhua.

It urges South Sudanese authorities to make additional progress and asks both the UN Secretary-General and South Sudan to provide progress reports by April 15, 2026.

Vietnam and Hungary have agreed to strengthen their comprehensive partnership following talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Tamas Sulyok.

Key areas of collaboration include boosting bilateral commerce to $2bn USD, financing development projects with Hungarian concessional loans, and strengthening relations in education, labor, nuclear energy, medicines, and climate response, Xinhua reported.

Both sides agreed to strengthen political coordination and international involvement. To mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, Vietnam and Hungary will organize joint cultural and people-to-people exchange activities.

The EU and UAE have launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, aiming to boost trade in goods, services, digital commerce, and strategic sectors like renewable energy. Talks will begin in June following a meeting in Dubai between EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and UAE Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi, as reported by Xinhua.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described the decision as a significant step toward improving EU-Gulf ties. The negotiations come as the EU aims to reduce its reliance on US trade, following US President Donald Trump's declaration of a 50 percent tax on EU exports, which has now been postponed until July 9. Trump welcomed the talks but warned of trade measures if no deal is reached.

The European Union officially lifted nearly all economic sanctions on Syria Wednesday, following a political agreement announced on May 20. The Council of the EU confirmed the decision, emphasizing its goal to support Syria’s recovery and political transition after years of conflict.

The sanctions, which were imposed more than a decade ago to put pressure on the Syrian government during the civil war, will be lifted in order to permit humanitarian supplies, boost reconstruction, and stabilize the Syrian economy. This marks a significant shift in the EU’s approach to the war-torn country, Reuters reported.