Asia-Pacific Markets React to Geopolitical Developments

As the world turns its attention to the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, major stock market indexes in the Asia-Pacific region experienced a mostly downward trend on Thursday. The geopolitical tension surrounding potential territorial concessions by Ukraine to Russia has added to the market's unease.

Market Movements Across the Region

Japan's Nikkei saw a significant drop, sliding by 1.38%, while the dollar weakened against the yen. South Korea's Kospi remained stable, showing no change. In contrast, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 enjoyed a modest rise of 0.48%.

Meanwhile, in mainland China, both the Shanghai Composite and the Shenzhen Composite recorded losses. Hong Kong's Hang Seng also dipped, reflecting the cautious mood among investors.

U.S. Stance on Ukraine

Amid reports of Trump suggesting territorial concessions to Ukraine, U.S. Vice President JD Vance emphasized that Washington would not proceed with negotiations without Kiev's involvement, highlighting the complex dynamics at play.