Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump arrive in Hanoi, preparing for the Summit

Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump arrive in Hanoi, preparing for the Summit

After the first meeting in Singapore, Mr. Trump was criticized for signing an ambiguous statement, but on the other hand, experts said that the denuclearization process must take place in parallel with concessions from the US. Photo:AFP.

On the morning of February 26, the armored train carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived at Dong Dang Station (Lang Son). After performing diplomatic procedures with a welcoming ceremony at Dong Dang Station, the North Korean leader boarded the car and headed straight to Hanoi. On the evening of February 26, Air Force One of US President Donald Trump also landed at Noi Bai Airport. After the welcoming ceremony at Noi Bai Airport, the motorcade took President Donald Trump to the Marriott Hotel.

The White House announced that the second summit between the US President and the North Korean leader in Hanoi will last for two days. The two leaders will have a private conversation on the evening of February 27, then have dinner with their advisors. The schedule of the two leaders on February 28 has not been announced, but the Korean news agencyYonhapCiting an anonymous US official, the meeting today will have a similar format to the event in Singapore in June 2018, with a private meeting, followed by a working lunch between the two delegations, an expanded meeting with assistants, and a joint statement signing ceremony.

India launches airstrikes in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir

Indian fighter jets entered Pakistan-administered Kashmir on February 26, claiming to have carried out an airstrike on a terrorist base, a move that threatens to further escalate tensions between the two countries.

The incident comes days after a terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, which India blamed on the government of neighboring Pakistan, despite the neighboring country's denial. Pakistan immediately confirmed the airstrike. Pakistani military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said on February 26 that the Indian Air Force had violated the Line of Control (LoC), which separates the Indian-controlled Kashmir region from Pakistan.

US imposes new sanctions on Venezuelan officials

President Maduro and his wife Ciliaedom Flores de Maduro. Photo: Reuters

According to Sputnik, the US Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions on several close allies of President Nicolas Maduro amid escalating tensions in Venezuela. The list of individuals subject to sanctions includes: Ciliaedom Flores de Maduro - the wife of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Vice President Delcy Eloina Rodrigues Lopez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez. The new move is aimed at preventing them from conducting financial or commercial transactions with US citizens or organizations.

The US has imposed numerous sanctions on Venezuela and has also seized its assets. In January, Washington froze $7 billion in assets belonging to Venezuela’s state oil company (PDVSA) and began transferring control of the company to self-proclaimed “interim president” Juan Guaido.

Türkiye completes deal to buy Russian S-400 missile system

S-400 air defense missile system. Photo: Army-technology

Reuters quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's statement on February 26 saying that Ankara's deal to buy Russia's S-400 missile defense system was completed, despite Washington's efforts to persuade Türkiye to buy the US Patriot system instead of the S-400.

US and NATO officials have warned Türkiye that the S-400 system is incompatible with NATO air and missile defense systems. They say that buying the Russian defense system would threaten Turkey's purchase of Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets and risk US sanctions. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected US calls to cancel the deal to buy the Russian S-400 air defense missile system.

US envoy meets senior Taliban leader in Qatar

On February 25, US peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad met with senior Taliban leaders in Qatar as the two sides resumed talks aimed at ending 17 years of conflict. Khalilzad met for the first time with Taliban co-founder and new political leader Ghani Baradar in the capital of Qatar. The talks will last at least four days. Despite the peace talks, the conflict in Afghanistan in 2018 killed 4,000 civilians, many of them children.

Diplomats in Kabul hope talks between the US and the Taliban will focus on hammering out a ceasefire before warmer weather in the spring, which is when fighting escalates.

Former Israeli minister sentenced to 11 years in prison for spying for Iran

Former Minister Gonen Segev during his trial in 2018. Photo: Reuters

On February 26, Reuters (UK) reported that Mr. Gonen Segev was Israel's Energy Minister from 1995 to 1996. In January, he pleaded guilty to spying for Iran. According to investigators, Mr. Segev contacted officials at the Iranian Embassy in Nigeria in 2012. In addition, Mr. Segev traveled to Iran twice to talk with his "manager".

The Israeli Justice Ministry said Mr. Segev later received encrypted communication equipment from Iranian spies. Israel also accused former Minister Segev of providing Iran with “information related to the energy and security sectors in Israel.” Mr. Segev was arrested in May 2018 during a visit to Equatorial Guinea and was later extradited to Israel.