Recent rainfall across parts of Henan, Shandong, and Anhui provinces has created challenges for China's summer wheat harvest, with farmers taking urgent steps to protect their crops from waterlogging and disease.
On Monday, scattered rain fell across much of Henan as wheat in the south of the province reached maturity. While the rainfall, mainly light to moderate, did not cause significant standing water, it left fields muddy and too slick for harvesters.
With clear skies returning and no rain forecast for the coming week, authorities in the province's Tanghe County have mobilized 4,000 harvesters in anticipation that all harvesting can be completed within about a week once conditions allow.
In Shandong, steady rain has helped wheat kernels fill out in areas like Liaocheng, Linyi, and Weifang, but excessive moisture also raises the risk of lodging and post-rain fungal and pest threats, making field management a top priority.
In low-lying areas along the lakes of Tongcheng City, Anhui, heavy and persistent rains have resulted in severe waterlogging, submerging wheat and croplands. Local authorities have activated pumping stations around the clock to drain excess water and reduce agricultural losses, with some wheat fields in Huayuan Village, Fangang Town, experiencing water depths exceeding 70 centimeters and severe crop damage as a result.
Chinese farmers race to harvest wheat despite rain delays
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States has suggested that Ukraine could be offered membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in exchange for withdrawing from the Donbas, according to media reports.
"The Americans raised the question: 'If Ukraine joins NATO, would it withdraw from the Donbas?' This was the first time such a question had been raised," Zelensky told reporters in remarks released by his office on Saturday.
Zelensky has reaffirmed that Ukraine will not retreat or give up its territory. He said Ukraine was discussing a comprehensive security package with its partners that could be offered during peace negotiations.
The package includes specific security guarantees from NATO and the European Union, a strong army with a sufficient number of personnel and weapons, financial support for a specified period and a recovery plan backed by funding from clearly defined sources, Zelensky added.
Trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine just ended on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, with no agreement announced on a ceasefire, territorial disputes or long-term security guarantees.
On Thursday, U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said in a social media post that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to expand the next round to include European partners. He said this would allow discussions on broader post-war European security arrangements alongside territorial issues.
Zelensky says U.S. proposes Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas in exchange for NATO membership
