Ukraine attacks Russian refinery, Israel warns of 'military options' with Iran, US-Russia delegations meet in Istanbul

China condemns the US for breaking relations with Russia, India plans to build an offshore airport, Russia opposes a global trade war, NATO continues to support Ukraine to counterattack, Spain trains more than 7,000 soldiers for Kiev... are some of the outstanding international events in the past 24 hours.

Security was tightened as a Russian delegation arrived at the US Consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye, on February 27. (Source: Anadolu Agency)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

Asia- Pacific

*Australia-US survey military bases in northern Australia: On February 27, top logistics officials from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) inspected northern Australia to identify strategic bases and potential operating locations to support logistics and sustain forces.

RAAF Director General of Logistics, Brigadier General Sandy Turner, said building a successful logistics network to support the movement of parts, fuel or ammunition across northern Australia was vital to ensuring Australia and the US could respond to any contingency. (Reuters)

*Chinese military patrols around Scarborough Shoal: According to the announcement of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army and the Chinese Coast Guard, on February 27, the Chinese Army and Coast Guard organized patrols around Scarborough Shoal (called Huangyan Island by Beijing) in the East Sea.

The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has not yet commented on the above information. (Reuters)

*China condemns US attempts to divide relations with Russia: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian affirmed on February 27 that US efforts to divide relations between China and Russia are bound to fail.

Responding to reporters, Mr. Lam stated: "No matter how the international situation changes, China-Russia relations will still develop steadily. It is completely useless for the US to try to sow discord between China and Russia."

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Russia is "too dependent on China" and that Moscow and Beijing "could join forces against the United States". (RIA Novosti)

*South Korea and India promote strategic partnership: On February 27, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hee Sang announced that the country and India aim to promote bilateral relations as "strategic partners" in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the conference, Indian Ambassador to South Korea Amit Kumar called for consultations between the two countries on security and strategic issues. The conference, themed “Building the Future: Exploring New Horizons in Korea-India Relations,” was co-hosted by the Sejong Institute and the Indian Embassy to discuss ways for future cooperation amid the changing global landscape. (Yonhap)

*India plans to build first offshore airport: India is planning to build its first offshore airport near Mumbai, Maharashtra, marking a major step forward in the country's aviation industry.

According to reports, the proposed Vadhvan airport is being built on an artificial island near Vadhvan seaport on the west coast of India, inspired by world-famous offshore airports such as Hong Kong International Airport and Kansai International Airport in Osaka (Japan).

When completed, Vadhvan airport will further strengthen Mumbai's position as a major international aviation hub and provide a sustainable solution to the growing demand for air travel. (Time of India)

Europe

*Ukraine attacks Russian oil refinery: The Ukrainian military said on February 26 that it had attacked Russia's Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast and recorded at least 40 explosions at the site. Tuapse, home to one of Russia's largest oil refineries, has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drones.

Earlier, Russia said it had shot down 83 Ukrainian drones overnight in the southern Krasnodar region, including the port of Tuapse, and said several homes had been damaged. However, the statement did not mention the situation at the Tuapse oil refinery. (Reuters)

*Polish Prime Minister rejects Trump's statement about EU: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on February 27 rejected US President Donald Trump's statement that "the European Union (EU) was established to harm the US".

Earlier, at a press conference in Washington on February 26, Mr. Trump said: "Let's be frank, the European Union was established to hurt the United States. That was the purpose of this group, and they have done a very good job of it."

Mr Trump also threatened to impose a 25% tariff on imports from the EU as tensions rise between Washington and its European allies. (AFP)

*Russia affirms sovereignty over regions annexed from Ukraine: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 27 that the territories that became Russian regions are an inseparable part of Russia and this is not a matter for discussion.

A day earlier, US President Donald Trump stressed that he would try "very hard" to ensure Ukraine regained as much of its territory as possible.

Responding to reporters, Mr. Peskov stated: "The territories that have become part of Russia, which are enshrined in our country's constitution, are an inseparable part of our country, Russia. This is an absolutely undeniable fact." (RIA Novosti)

*France calls on Europe to respond firmly to new US tariff threats: On February 27, French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci said that Europe needs to have a firm but measured response to US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats, and said that these threats are "worrisome but not surprising".

Mr. Ferracci made the remarks at a news conference on the future of the European steel industry in Paris. (Reuters)

*Russia opposes global trade war: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 27 that Russia opposes global trade war because it has a negative impact on all market participants.

Mr. Peskov made the above comment when referring to developments in US-EU relations, including the US government's decision to impose a 25% customs duty on goods from the EU.

Earlier, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store warned that the US risks igniting a devastating trade war if it imposes import restrictions on goods from Europe. (TASS)

*NATO continues to provide Ukraine with resources for counterattacks: On February 27, Colonel Vitaly Kiselyov, a military analyst from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) militia in eastern Ukraine, said that the Ukrainian army continues to receive shipments of military equipment from NATO countries, as well as continuing to send support units to the front line to conduct counterattacks.

According to the expert, a large amount of equipment and personnel of the Ukrainian armed forces is reportedly moving in the direction of Kursk and Krasnoarmeysk. (Sputniknews)

*EU invites Ukrainian President to attend meeting on conflict with Russia: European Council President Antonio Costa said on February 27 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to attend a special EU meeting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and European security on March 6.

"There is a new momentum that can lead to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace" in Ukraine, Mr Costa said, adding that the meeting would discuss possible European security guarantees for any agreement. (AFP)

*France and Germany agree to open new chapter in bilateral relations: French President Emmanuel Macron and future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed to open a new chapter in Franco-German relations during a meeting in Paris, a source familiar with the matter said.

President Macron, who met US President Donald Trump in Washington on February 25, informed EU leaders of the outcome of the talks. Mr. Merz has repeatedly said that Europe must unite ahead of a second Trump term and must quickly establish independent defense capabilities. (Reuters)

*Spain trains more than 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers: On February 26, the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army said that the country's Armed Forces have trained more than 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission to Support Ukraine (EUMAM UA) deployed in November 2022.

Spain began training Ukrainian military personnel in international humanitarian law for the first time in late 2024. EUMAM UA was approved by the European Council in October 2022 and aims to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. Currently, 24 EU countries are involved in the work. (AFP)

Middle East-Africa

*Israel will not withdraw from Philadelphia Corridor: Israeli media quoted an Israeli official on February 27 as saying that the country will not withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor, despite the ceasefire's requirement that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) must leave the Egypt-Gaza border area by the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Earlier in July, when Israel's hostage negotiation team hoped to reach a deal with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added new conditions to maintain Israel's presence in the Philadelphia Corridor, causing the deal to collapse. (Al Jazeera)

*Hamas ready to negotiate next round of ceasefire deal: Hamas said on February 27 that the movement is ready to participate in negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal after the return of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners from the first phase is completed.

Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire have yet to take place. Hamas has said the only way to free all hostages in Gaza is through a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel does not accept Hamas' continued hold on power in Gaza. (Arab News)

*Israel warns of “military option” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons: On February 26, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned that a “military option” may be the only way to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Gideon Saar stressed that Israel wants to use a diplomatic solution to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, but the chances of success of this solution are not high. The Israeli foreign minister assessed that if Iran can produce nuclear weapons, this will spark a "nuclear race in the Middle East with the participation of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. (Al Jazeera)

*Israel releases more than 600 Palestinian prisoners: Palestinian sources said that the Israeli government began releasing more than 600 Palestinian prisoners from prisons early on February 27 within the framework of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

A bus carrying a group of Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah, according to a source at the scene. The prisoners wore traditional keffiyeh scarves and jackets to cover their prison uniforms before undergoing a quick health check. (Al Jazeera)

*Israel arrests citizen suspected of spying for Iran: A joint statement between the Police Agency and the Israeli Internal Security Agency (Shin Bet) on February 27 said they had arrested a citizen of this country on suspicion of spying for Iran.

According to the statement, the arrested man is Daniel Kitov, 26, an Israeli citizen living in the city of Petah Tikvah. The suspect is accused of contacting an Iranian agent and painting graffiti in several areas of Petah Tikvah and Rosh HaAyin at the agent's request in exchange for money.

As of December last year, Israeli police had arrested nearly 30 people, mostly Israeli citizens, for spying for Iran. (Arab News)

America - Latin America

*Russia and the US discuss embassy operations: Russia and the US held talks in Istanbul, Turkey on February 27 to resolve disputes related to the operations of the two countries' embassies in Washington and Moscow.

According to TASS news agency, the Russian delegation arrived at the residence of the US Consul General in Istanbul to participate in the talks. RIA Novosti news agency said the main goal of the discussions was to find ways to normalize the work of embassies, which have been hampered by restrictions and bilateral tensions.

Moscow and Washington agreed to set up communication channels in all areas after talks in Riyadh on February 18. (Reuters)

*Mexico strengthens high-level communication with the US on tariffs: On February 26, Mexico said its government officials will have meetings with US officials in Washington in the next two days to discuss the US imposition of a 25% tariff on goods imported from this Latin American country.

The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed its desire to maintain an open dialogue with the US administration to resolve trade differences and strengthen economic cooperation, without resorting to a tariff war. (AFP)

*US to soon announce 25% tariff on EU: US President Donald Trump announced on February 26 that his administration will soon announce a new 25% tariff on imports from the European Union (EU), including cars.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, President Trump said: "We'll be announcing it (tariffs on EU imports) very soon, and it will be 25% in general, cars and everything else." (RIA Novosti)

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