Trump continues internal purge, Russia announces it will respond to US sanctions

1. President Trump continues internal purge, will the Security Advisor leave?

US National Security Adviser HR McMaster is likely to be the next person in the Trump administration to leave.

According to Reuters news agency, US President Donald Trump has decided to replace National Security Advisor HR McMaster, but this move will not take place immediately.

The news comes days after President Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and in recent days he has hinted that his top-level government reshuffle is far from over.

“I am now at a point where the United States is going to have the cabinet and the government that I want,” Mr. Trump told reporters after Mr. Tillerson was fired.

It is known that Mr. McMaster will not leave immediately, and President Trump will have a certain amount of time to change personnel to avoid lowering Mr. McMaster's honor and at the same time find a worthy replacement.

2. Mr. Putin calls on people to vote for the future of Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Source: AFP/VNA

On March 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the country's people to participate in the presidential election on March 18, so that each person's opinion in determining the future development path is taken into account.

In a special letter to all voters, President Putin emphasized that according to the Russian Constitution, “the only source of power is the people.” This has great significance because the direction of the country’s development and the future of Russia depend on the will of the people, on each citizen.

According to Mr. Putin, in Russia, people decide their own fate, act according to their conscience, understanding of truth and justice, love for the Fatherland. President Putin expressed confidence that people will use their rights to "choose the future of our great, beloved Russia."

3. Russia announces measures to respond to US sanctions

Deputy Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced countermeasures against the US. Photo: Arabnews.

In an interview with the press regarding the US expansion of sanctions against Russia on March 15, Deputy Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated: "We are starting to study countermeasures. I think Russia can take stronger, tougher actions. We are ready."

Sergei Ryabkov stressed that the US decision to expand sanctions is nothing new in Russia's assessment of US behavior in the international arena. This decision is based on unfounded accusations of Russian interference in US internal affairs.

He said: “The atmosphere of tension and confrontation with Russia is increasing in the US. The US continues to slide down the wrong path despite Russia's call to establish dialogue and end measures that push bilateral relations into the abyss.”

4. North Korean Foreign Minister visits Sweden, paving the way for US-North Korea negotiations

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho visits Sweden. Photo: NY Times.

On the afternoon of March 15, at 6:15 p.m. (local time), or just after midnight (Vietnam time), North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho unexpectedly arrived in Stockholm, Sweden, on a flight departing from Beijing, China. Mr. Ri Yong Ho went to the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs shortly afterwards and met with the host country's Minister, Ms. Margot Wallstrom.

The head of the North Korean Foreign Ministry later returned to the country's embassy in Stockholm and is expected to continue working with his Swedish counterpart on March 16.

Details of the meeting between the two top diplomats of North Korea and Sweden have not been released yet, and the Swedish Foreign Ministry only said that the two sides discussed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and Sweden's role as diplomatic representative for the US, Canada and Australia in this Northeast Asian country.

5.Turkish shelling in Afrin kills at least 18 civilians

Turkish-led forces in Syria during an operation against Kurdish militants in Afrin, Syria on March 7. Source: AFP/TTXVN

According to AFP and Reuters, on March 16, the Turkish army shelled the Kurdish-majority Afrin region in northern Syria, killing at least 18 civilians.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that since 10 p.m. on March 15 (GMT), at least 18 civilians have been killed by Turkish artillery fire, including five children.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) said this force is fighting on the outskirts of Afrin city to push back the Turkish army and allied militia groups./.

6.Thousands of people evacuated from Eastern Ghouta, conflict temporarily calmed down

Syrian people flee war in Eastern Ghouta.

According to RT news agency, thousands of Eastern Ghouta residents have evacuated from the area while the ceasefire is being implemented, marking the largest number of people leaving Eastern Ghouta ever.

The Russian military said that about 11,000 civilians in Eastern Ghouta have been successfully evacuated. It is reported that about 800 people are leaving the area every hour through the humanitarian corridor established by Russia and the Syrian government forces. Some people are leaving by car, others on foot. Many families are also leaving the area with children and the injured.

Residents have reported that terrorists in Eastern Ghouta have deliberately driven up food prices and taken harsh punitive measures. Meanwhile, terrorist groups continue to attack residential areas in the capital Damascus and open fire on residents trying to evacuate Eastern Ghouta.

7. Russia accuses Britain of gross violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Source: AFP/VNA

Speaking at a press conference on March 16, Foreign Minister Lavrov stressed that London's outright refusal to "talk" to Moscow was a gross violation of the CWC, because the convention stipulates that "before a country does something, it is obliged to communicate directly with the country or territory that it suspects is the source of a certain type of toxic substance."

Earlier, on March 14, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced a series of measures against Russia, accusing Russia of being behind the poisoning of former spy Skripal and his daughter Yulia. London suspended high-level diplomatic contacts with Russia and expelled 23 Russian diplomats in the UK.

Russia has vehemently denied the accusations, saying it will take retaliatory measures against Britain "at any time."