Morning Briefing: March 26, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including a meeting between Turkish and American diplomats in the US, Russia confirming a deal with the US to ensure shipping safety in the Black Sea, and Syria calling for an international investigation of Israel’s bombing of Daraa.

TOP STORIES

• Fidan, Rubio discuss regional issues, emphasize engagement with Syrian government

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of engaging with the Syrian government during a meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

"Both sides emphasized the importance of engaging with the Syrian government and expressed their determination to stabilize Syria and combat terrorism," the sources said.

Fidan and Rubio discussed a range of other regional and bilateral matters, including the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which was deemed essential for regional peace, sources told Anadolu.

The two sides also discussed preparations for upcoming head-of-state-level visits, with both expressing their commitment to removing obstacles to defense cooperation.

"Both sides clearly expressed their political will to remove the obstacles to cooperation in the defense industry. Technical meetings will be held to resolve existing issues," the sources added.

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• Russia confirms deal with US to ensure shipping safety in Black Sea following Saudi talks

Russia’s Kremlin confirmed a deal with the US to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, one day after delegations from Moscow and Washington held consultations in Saudi Arabia.

The White House said in a statement earlier that Russia and the US agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea” following talks in Riyadh.

It said the US would help restore Russia’s access to world markets for agriculture and fertilizer exports, and both countries also agreed to develop measures to ban strikes on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine.

A statement by the Kremlin confirmed the agreements in Riyadh, including ensuring the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, as well as Washington’s help in restoring Moscow’s exports of agricultural products and fertilizers.

• Syria condemns Israeli bombing of Daraa, calls for international investigation

Syria condemned the Israeli bombing of western Daraa province, demanding an international investigation into Tel Aviv’s violations of its sovereignty and crimes against its citizens.

At least six people were killed and several others injured in an Israeli incursion and shelling in the town of Koya in western Daraa.

In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry denounced “the ongoing Israeli aggression on Syrian territory, which saw a dangerous escalation in Koya town in Daraa.”

The escalation “was the latest in a series of violations that began with Israeli incursions into Quneitra and Daraa provinces and ongoing assaults on Syrian territory,” the ministry said, calling it “a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The US will help restore Russia’s access to world markets for agriculture and fertilizer exports, said the White House.
• US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said he takes "full responsibility" for the inclusion of a journalist in a private Signal chat group where senior Trump administration officials discussed a planned military strike in Yemen
• An Israeli court upheld a detention order against Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US offered Kyiv a new version of a mineral agreement.
• US Vice President JD Vance announced that he will join a controversial American delegation visiting Greenland this week, escalating geopolitical tensions about the future of the Arctic territory.
• US President Donald Trump said there will be an investigation into how an American journalist was inadvertently included in a Signal group chat where senior national security officials and Vice President JD Vance discussed plans to attack Yemen's Houthi rebels.
• The European commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management expressed concern over "alarming reports" regarding Israeli attacks targeting health personnel, hospitals and aid workers in Gaza.
• Jordan’s King Abdullah II arrived in the United Arab Emirates for a “fraternal” visit, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported.
• A federal judge in New York has temporarily blocked the detention of Yunseo Chung, a Columbia University student, amid her fight against deportation.
• Israel’s Supreme Court rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to lift a freeze on his government’s decision to dismiss Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security agency, official media reported.
• Israeli security forces shot and killed a Palestinian and injured two others in separate incidents in the northern West Bank and East Jerusalem, Palestinian sources reported.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II, discussing the immediate return to the ceasefire in Gaza.
• The Netherlands voiced concern about settler violence in the occupied West Bank and condemned Israel's decision to create 13 new settlements.
• Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dismissed Jelena Milic from her post as ambassador to Croatia, according to the Official Gazette.
• The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Iranian intelligence (MOIS) officers for their roles in the 2007 abduction and probable death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson.
• The Osprey transport aircraft of the US military, known for crashes, made an emergency landing at an airport in Japan, forcing authorities to temporarily close the facility, Jiji Press reported.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• China leads electric vehicle market with two-thirds of global sales

China's electric vehicle (EV) sales reached 11.3 million last year, making up nearly two-thirds of global sales, according to the latest sector report.

Global EV sales rose to 17.3 million in 2024, marking a 25% increase from 14 million in 2023, according to the Global Energy Review 2025 published by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

EVs accounted for 20% of total vehicle sales worldwide last year.

• Asian economies estimated to grow 4.5% in 2025: Report

The Asian economy will grow by 4.5% in 2025, slightly higher than the 4.4% recorded last year, according to a report by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

"In spite of the persistently challenging external environment, Asian economies have leveraged their favorable conditions to reverse the declining trend and stabilize their economic growth," BFA said in its 2025 report on the economic outlook and integration progress for Asia.

International organizations, including the UN, World Bank and IMF universally project the global economy to stabilize or even resume expansion in the next two years.