Belarus declares to respond to all provocations with force; North Korea flatly rejects Japan; China "hot-faced" because of the West

The World & Vietnam newspaper highlights some of the most notable international events of the past 24 hours.

North Korea has refused to hold a summit meeting between its leader Kim Jong-un and Japanese Prime Minister Kishda Fumio. (Source: Politico website)

Russia-Ukraine

* Ukraine hits Russian warship with missiles: On March 26, Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmitry Pletenchuk confirmed that the navy had used missiles to hit the Konstantin Olshansky landing ship, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.

Speaking on state television, Pletenchuk stated: “This ship is no longer combat-capable. The ship has undergone upgrades and is ready to be used to attack Ukraine. It is regrettable that we had to make the decision to attack the ship.”

According to the spokesperson, the attack involved a Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship missile. Moscow has not yet commented on the incident. (Reuters)

* Ukraine arrests two suspected Russian spies: On March 26, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) confirmed the arrest of two individuals suspected of working for Russia.

In a statement, the SBU confirmed that the two suspects, identified as residents of the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions, had placed explosive devices on railway tracks in the Poltava region of central Ukraine and intended to detonate them remotely, but were caught red-handed by SBU agents.

According to the SBU, the agency seized the phones of the two suspects and identified their handler as an officer of the Federal Security Service (FSB). (Reuters)

Russia must be a part of any global peace conference on Ukraine, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Peskov emphasized that the Ukraine issue cannot be resolved without Russia's participation. (Reuters)

Counter-terrorism

* A Moscow court has ordered the arrest of three more suspects in connection with the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital on March 22.

The defendants, Isroil, Ainchon, and Dilovar Islomov (father and two sons), will be held in custody until May 22nd. The investigation's review of the request is being conducted in secret for the safety of those involved. (TASS)

* Russia will conduct an objective investigation and urges citizens to report any incitement to terrorist attacks: On March 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall theater near Moscow, which killed at least 137 people, was carried out by "Islamic extremists."

He directed that, despite the legitimate desire to punish the perpetrators of the “heinous crime,” the investigation must be conducted objectively and impartially.

Meanwhile, on March 26, the Federal Security Service (FSB) urged citizens to immediately report any incitement to terrorist attacks in Russia to the agency.

The FSB also said it successfully thwarted an attack by an accomplice of the "Russian Volunteer Corps"—a Russian militant group supporting Ukraine—in Russia's Samara region. The suspect committed suicide by detonating his explosive device upon capture. (TASS)

* ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement on March 26. Condemning the terrorist attack in Russia and expressing support for efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The joint statement read: "ASEAN condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack... which resulted in the deaths and injuries of many innocent people, including children... ASEAN fully supports the efforts of the Russian government to resolve the situation and bring the perpetrators to justice."

In addition, ASEAN foreign ministers also emphasized "the urgent need for a joint international effort to comprehensively and effectively eliminate the scourge of terrorism." (Sputnik)

Belgium maintains its terrorism alert level at 3 on a 4-level scale, meaning a serious and potential threat.

This alert level has been in effect since October 16, 2023, following the attack that claimed the lives of two Swedish tourists in Brussels. Since then, this alert level has remained in place, particularly due to the situation in the Middle East and the rise of anti-Semitism. (VRT News)

Kyrgyzstan has tightened security at shopping malls in the capital Bishkek following the terrorist attack in Moscow.

Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Interior Minister Nurbek Abdiev also urged shopping malls to tighten security, install alarm systems, recruit and thoroughly vet security personnel, and inspect premises to promptly detect explosive devices or suspicious objects. (THX)

* Turkey arrested 147 individuals linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization in raids across 30 cities nationwide.

These individuals were found to be operating within the framework of the IS organization, participating in armed conflict and helping to finance the terrorist group. (Al Arabiya)

Pakistan killed four terrorists who attacked its Siddique naval base on the night of March 25 in Turbat, Balochistan province, in southwestern Pakistan.

The terrorists attempted to infiltrate the facility but were unsuccessful and killed in a shootout. Following the elimination of the terrorists, security forces conducted a sweep operation at the site. (THX)

Europe

Belarus will respond with force if there is a provocation on its border with Lithuania, according to President Alexander Lukashenko during an inspection of a tank battalion stationed near the border with the Baltic nation on March 25.

President Lukashenko stated: “I declare publicly: all provocations must be stopped by force. All violations of national borders must be eliminated.” (Belta)

* More than 100 farmers' tractors surrounded the British Parliament building on March 25th to protest post-Brexit trade agreements that they believe threaten agricultural production in the country.

The protesters demanded that the government enforce more accurate food labeling and take steps to improve the country's food security.

Additionally, protesters want the government to end trade agreements that they believe allow the importation of substandard food into Britain and reduce the income of domestic farmers. (AP)

Asia-Pacific

* North Korea rejects possibility of summit with Japan: On March 26, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted officials as saying that the country would reject any further contact or negotiations with Japan.

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean leader and Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said: "Japan lacks the courage to change history, promote peace and stability in the region, and take the first step towards a new relationship."

She also affirmed that the plan to hold a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio was not in Pyongyang's interests.

The day before, Kim Yo-jong revealed that Prime Minister Kishida had conveyed his desire to meet with Kim Jong-un "as soon as possible." (Kyodo)

* China angered by Western accusations of cyberattacks: On March 26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian strongly protested accusations from the US, UK, and New Zealand that Beijing was behind a series of cyberattacks targeting lawmakers and key pro-democracy organizations.

According to Lin Jian, Beijing “opposes and suppresses all forms of cyberattacks,” and accused the US of using the Five Eyes intelligence alliance (comprising the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) “to fabricate and disseminate misinformation about threats from Chinese hackers.”

Lin Jian warned that Beijing "will take necessary measures to protect China's legitimate rights and interests."

In a rare and detailed public indictment issued on March 25, the United States, Britain, and New Zealand detailed a 14-year “global cyberattack operation” established by China to support “foreign economic espionage and intelligence objectives.” (AFP)

* India seeks to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines: Speaking at a press conference in Manila on March 26, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that India supports the Philippines in defending its sovereignty and hopes to explore new areas of cooperation, both in defense and security.

Meanwhile, his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo, announced that the two countries are exploring ways to ensure a free and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. (Reuters)

* South Korea and Germany discussed strengthening defense cooperation during a meeting between South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and the Chair of the German Parliament's Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, on March 25.

Both sides emphasized that this is a crucial period for cooperation within the international community, citing the conflict in Ukraine, military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, and the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Germany and South Korea also share the view that the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic security are closely interconnected, and agreed to develop bilateral defense cooperation and continue close communication on key security issues. (Yonhap)

* Japan is revising its arms export regulations to allow the worldwide export of its next-generation fighter jets, developed in cooperation with the UK and Italy.

The revised rules stipulate that Japan can export fighter jets that the three governments plan to deploy by 2035 to a third country, but will never transfer them to a country currently engaged in conflict. (Kyodo)

Middle East-Africa

* The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on the Gaza Strip calling for an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan. The resolution was passed with 14 votes in favor. The United States abstained.

The resolution also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, stressed the importance of expanding humanitarian aid, and reaffirmed the need to remove all barriers to the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid.

Countries such as Egypt, Mexico, and China have expressed their welcome to the resolution.

Hamas welcomed the move and affirmed its "readiness to immediately engage in a prisoner exchange process leading to the release of prisoners on both sides."

However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that the country would not end its war against Hamas until the movement released the hostages, because "the lack of a decisive victory in Gaza could bring us closer to a war in the north." (AP, AFP)

Russia is negotiating the location of a military base in the Central African Republic, according to the Russian ambassador to the African nation, Alexander Bikantov, on March 26.

Alexander Bikantov stated: "Discussions are underway between the defense ministers of the two countries. The location for the base is being selected." (TASS)

* Senegal Presidential Election : March 25th Senegal's electoral commission announced that opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won approximately 53.7% of the vote, while ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba received only 36.2% in the March 24 election.

On the same day, Mr. Ba telephoned opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye to acknowledge his opponent's victory in the presidential election held on March 24. (Reuters)

America

* Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announces assassination attempt: Maduro said two armed men who planned to attack him were arrested in a street operation in Caracas.

According to the leader, the two arrested men "confessed to being members of the far-right fascist Vente Venezuela party."

Caracas Mayor Naum Fernandez previously announced a sabotage plot involving individuals carrying explosives to attack the President during a march attended by thousands of people along with Maduro. (Mehrnews)

* US sanctions Russian tech and financial sectors: On March 25, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against Russian technology and financial services companies for developing or providing services using virtual assets to circumvent sanctions.

In total, there are 13 entities and 2 individuals on this new sanctions list. Five of the aforementioned entities are linked to individuals already sanctioned by the US. Among the companies is Atomyze, a fintech company controlled by the investment group Interros Holding, owned by Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin.

Russia's central bank, along with major lenders such as VTB and Sberbank, are also on the sanctions list. (Reuters)

* Former President Donald Trump has been granted a deferral of over $464 million in fines related to inflated asset values, in exchange for paying a $175 million bail bond within 10 days.

This latest ruling is seen as a "victory" in former President Trump's efforts to resolve his legal troubles. Trump stated that he respects the decision and will soon pay $175 million in cash or bonds.

Meanwhile, a court has also set April 15th as the start date for the criminal trial of Trump for allegedly paying to "silence" a porn star. This will be the first criminal trial in history of a former U.S. president. (Reuters)

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