Russian President delivers State of the Nation Address; Syria tries to evacuate people from IS areas

Putin's federal message mentions Russia's economic and defense strength

Russian President Putin reads the 2019 Federal Message. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

On the afternoon of February 20 (Hanoi time), at Gaschinnyi Palace in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the 2019 Federal Message. This is the first Federal Message in V. Putin's fourth presidential term and his 15th Federal Message during his years as Russia's top leader.

During his 90-minute 2019 State of the Nation Address, President Putin focused on the country's socio-economic development, reform plans, political situation, defense capabilities and Russia's foreign policy.

According to the Kremlin, about 1,000 people were invited to attend the event, including Russian senators and deputies, ministers, diplomats, heads of the Supreme and Constitutional courts. In addition, 761 Russian and international journalists were accredited to cover the event.

Iraq allows US to use its territory to withdraw troops from Syria

"There is an agreement between Iraq and the United States, our friend and ally. American troops will soon leave Syria and pass through Iraqi territory with permission from the Baghdad government," Sputnik quoted the statement of Chief of Staff and Advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Abdulkarim Hashim Mostafa.

According to Mr. Mostafa, the US has committed to Iraq that the process of withdrawing troops from Syria will be carried out as soon as the US completes the military campaign to completely destroy the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants east of the Euphrates River, but no later than April 1.

In December 2018, US President Donald Trump suddenly announced the withdrawal of all US forces in Syria, affirming that the fight against IS was almost won. This decision by Mr. Trump surprised many officials at the White House, the Pentagon as well as US allies.

President Trump nominates new Deputy Attorney General

The White House said on February 20 that US President Donald Trump plans to nominate Mr. Jeffrey Rosen to be the new Deputy Attorney General of the US. Mr. Rosen, currently the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, will replace Mr. Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mr. Robert Mueller as Special Prosecutor to investigate allegations that President Trump's campaign team had ties with Russia. According to a Justice Department official, Mr. Rosenstein is expected to resign in mid-March 2019.

However, Mr. Jeffrey Rosen's nomination must be approved by the US Senate. Rosen, 66, graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University in the US and graduated from Harvard Law School. He worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. He also taught at Georgetown Law School in Washington, DC.

Syria tries to evacuate people from IS-held areas

At least 15 trucks carrying men, women and children left the town of Baghuz today (February 20), according to the BBC. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces coalition, which is besieging the town, said it was unclear whether any IS fighters were among the displaced civilians.

IS militants are preventing civilians from leaving, and many innocent civilians are being targeted by bombings by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces coalition and US-led military forces in Syria, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said. Bachelet called on the warring parties to create safe corridors for civilians to leave and to protect those who want to stay.

Venezuelan military “absolutely loyal” to President Maduro

In a move to show strong support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the country's military declared its loyalty to the constitutional government on February 20 and said it was "vigilant" against any plots to invade the country's territory under the guise of humanitarian assistance. Also on February 20, the Venezuelan government announced the closure of its maritime border with the Dutch island of Curacao.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, along with senior military generals yesterday once again affirmed their "absolute loyalty" to President Nicolas Maduro, while rejecting all calls from US President Donald Trump and opposition figure Juan Guaido to "turn their backs" on this leader.

British Prime Minister returns to Brussels (Belgium) to break the Brexit deadlock

British Prime Minister Theresa May returned to Brussels on February 20 with a slim hope of convincing European leaders to change the provisions related to the Northern Ireland border issue in the Brexit agreement signed at the end of November 2018.

Theresa May will meet with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker with the main purpose still being to convince the European side to accept changes related to the "backstop" clause, which is the clause regulating the issue of the Northern Ireland border.

The British government still wants Europe to give a specific, legally binding deadline for Northern Ireland and the UK to stay in the European customs union, in order to convince the British House of Commons to accept the Brexit deal.

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