World News February 18: Russia

Germany offers new military aid package to Kyiv, China accuses Philippine aircraft of "violating" its airspace, Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, Turkey arrests nearly 300 suspected PKK members… these are some of the prominent international events in the past 24 hours.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, along with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18. (Source: theguardian)

The World & Vietnam newspaper highlights some of the day's most prominent international news.

Asia- Pacific

*China accuses Philippine aircraft of 'violating' its airspace: The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military issued a statement on February 18 accusing a Philippine aircraft of "violating" Chinese airspace in the disputed Scarborough Shoal area.

The statement stressed that the Philippines' actions constituted a serious "violation" of China's sovereignty, and asserted that the Chinese military had deployed naval and air forces to track, monitor, and驱逐 (drive away) the aircraft. (Reuters)

*India and Russia sign agreement to simplify military cooperation: On February 18, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin met with Indian Ambassador to Moscow Vinay Kumar and an agreement was signed to simplify the procedures for interaction between the military agencies of the two countries.

During the meeting, the parties acknowledged the importance of the signed document for further deepening cooperation in the military field and affirmed the focus of both sides on continuously strengthening core cooperation in the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India. (Sputniknews)

*China arrests former soldier suspected of spying on military secrets: On February 18, China's top counterintelligence agency announced the arrest of a former soldier suspected of assisting a foreign agency in spying on China's military secrets.

National security officials meticulously sifted through a large amount of data, tracing leads step by step and eventually identifying the suspect – a man surnamed "Ni," who had served two years in the Chinese military.

China has significantly strengthened its national security measures amid escalating tensions with the U.S. and its allies across technology, military, security, trade, and economic spheres. (SCMP)

*Philippines determined to deploy US Typhon system: According to Philippine Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Roy Galido, Manila not only rejected Beijing's demand to withdraw the US-made Typhon missile system from its coast but is also increasing its use of the system by incorporating it into a major military exercise next month.

This year's exercise will involve approximately 6,000 troops and, for the first time, will take place not only on Luzon Island in northern the Philippines, but also in Visayas in central Philippines and Mindanao in southern Philippines. (SCMP)

*Philippines and Japan reaffirm commitment to "freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea: On February 17, the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of the Philippines and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to "freedom of navigation and international law in the South China Sea and East China Sea."

The Philippine National Security Council (NSC) issued a statement saying that Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Año had a phone call with his Japanese counterpart, Masataka Okano. The two advisors affirmed the Japan-Philippines security cooperation and agreed to continue close collaboration. (Philippines News Agency)

Europe

*Russia ready to negotiate with Ukraine: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on February 18 that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

Russia has repeatedly emphasized its interest in a peaceful solution in Ukraine through diplomatic means. At the same time, President Putin has pointed out the lack of sovereignty of modern Ukraine, as well as the illegitimacy of President Zelensky.

The Ukrainian constitution does not provide for the postponement of presidential elections during periods of martial law, even though President Zelensky's term expires on May 20, 2024. (TASS)

*EC plans to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on February 18th her intention to further strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities.

During a meeting with US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, von der Leyen outlined European plans to increase defense production and spending. According to the statement, the EU intends to ensure its full share of military aid to Kyiv and "is prepared to do even more."

Ms. von der Leyen also affirmed the EU's readiness to cooperate with the US to end the conflict and help ensure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. (AFP)

*Ukraine insists on security guarantees before ceasefire: Ukraine's ambassador to Japan, Sergiy Korsunsky, stressed that Kyiv needs security guarantees as a condition for a ceasefire in the conflict with Moscow, amid concerns about US President Donald Trump's conciliatory stance toward Russia in peace talks.

According to government figures, Japan has taken in more than 2,700 Ukrainian refugees since the conflict began, and approximately 2,000 of them are still living in the country. (Kyodo)

*Russia and the US begin negotiations on Ukraine: On February 18, Russian and US officials began negotiations on the Ukraine issue. The talks took place at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

This negotiation marks another important step by the Trump administration in reversing the previous policy of isolating Russia that Washington had pursued since the administration of former President Joe Biden. This meeting also paves the way for the possibility of President Trump meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the near future. (Reuters)

*Germany provides new military aid package to Ukraine: The German government announced it has decided to allocate a new military aid package to Kyiv, including 56 MRAP armored vehicles, IRIS-T SLM and IRIS-T SLS missiles, as well as 300 HF-1 attack drones (UAVs) and other weapons.

Germany is Ukraine's second-largest arms supplier, after the United States. A German cabinet spokesman said in early February that Germany had provided Ukraine with nearly 44 billion euros (46 billion USD) in aid since the conflict began in early 2022. (RIA Novosti)

Middle East-Africa

*Egypt to host summit on Gaza: The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced on February 18 that the country will host an emergency Arab summit on March 4 to discuss the developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On the same day, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that his country would begin negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, including the exchange of remaining Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

Negotiations for the second phase of the agreement were supposed to begin before the first phase concluded on March 2, but Qatar said talks had not officially started. (Reuters)

*Israel demands Hamas leave Gaza and surrender its weapons: On February 17, speaking before a cabinet meeting discussing the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared that Hamas fighters must surrender their weapons and leave Gaza.

Mr. Smotrich said he would ask ministers to vote on a clear ultimatum to Hamas: "Immediately release all hostages, leave Gaza for other countries, and lay down your weapons as planned by US President Donald Trump." Mr. Smotrich warned: "Israel will open the gates of hell" if Hamas refuses the demand. (Arab News)

*Turkey arrests nearly 300 suspected PKK members: On February 18, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that police had arrested 282 people suspected of being members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK - banned in Turkey) in raids over the past five days.

The raids took place amid Turkey's continued removal of elected pro-Kurdish mayors with ties to the PKK, in a campaign that coincides with hopes of ending the 40-year conflict between the PKK and the government. (Al Jazeera)

*Israel withdraws from villages in southern Lebanon: A Lebanese security source said on February 18 that Israeli troops had withdrawn from villages in southern Lebanon but still maintained five positions, as the deadline for troop withdrawal under the peace agreement with Hezbollah was drawing to a close.

Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, the source said: "Israeli troops have withdrawn from all border villages except five, while Lebanese troops are gradually deploying due to landmines in some areas and damaged roads." (AFP)

*US and UAE launch airstrikes against IS in Somalia: The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carried out new drone strikes on February 16 in Puntland.

For several weeks, this semi-autonomous region of Somalia has launched a large-scale counter-terrorism operation targeting the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), based in the Calmiskaad Mountains in northeastern Puntland. Authorities estimate they have killed more than 100 fighters in the past week. (Al Jazeera)

*Israel accuses Turkey of transferring money to Hezbollah: On February 17, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Turkey of cooperating with Iran in transferring money to Hezbollah.

Gideon Saar stated: "There is an attempt by Iran to transfer money into Lebanon to help Hezbollah restore its power and status. This attempt is being carried out in cooperation with Turkey." (Al Jazeera)

Americas - Latin America

*US businesses lose $300 billion by leaving the Russian market: On February 18, Kirill Dmitriev, Director of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, stated that US companies have lost $300 billion by ceasing business operations in Russia.

Speaking to the press, Dmitriev, who was also a key member of the Russian delegation to Saudi Arabia for negotiations with the US, said that Washington had begun to understand the importance of the Russian market.

Contrary to Western media reports, Russian media outlets believe that resuming economic cooperation was the most important topic of the Russia-US meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18. ( Sputnik)

*Russia releases US citizen ahead of talks in Saudi Arabia: The New York Times (NYT) reported on February 17 that the Russian government released a US citizen, arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana, ahead of talks between Russian and US officials in Saudi Arabia.

Kalob Byers Wayne, 28, was detained at Moscow's Vnukovo airport during a baggage check on February 7 after customs officials discovered cannabis-laced orange juice in his luggage. (Reuters)

*Africa calls on the US to end the embargo on Cuba: At the 38th General Assembly of the African Union (AU), leaders of the continent unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the US to lift its economic, financial, and trade embargo against Cuba. This is the 16th consecutive time the AU has made this request, reflecting the consistent stance of African nations in supporting Cuba.

According to African leaders, the situation is becoming even more serious as Cuba faces numerous challenges from recent extreme natural phenomena, which have severely impacted the economic and social lives of the Cuban people. (AFP)

*Mexico and the US aim for a comprehensive agreement on trade and security: On February 17, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico and the US are preparing to enter high-level talks this week, focusing on key issues of trade and border security.

In addition to trade issues, the two sides will also hold a separate meeting to formulate a comprehensive bilateral cooperation strategy, including areas such as security, border control, and migration management. (AFP)

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