New hope for resolving the situation in Ukraine; US - North Korea resume nuclear talks

Russia says it will "respond" to US sanctions

Russian flag (right) and American flag (left) at Vnukovo airport in Moscow (Russia). Photo: AFP

Following the US decision to impose sanctions on two Russian citizens for their ties to the "Internet Research Agency", the Department of Information and Printing of the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement that the US move would receive a "response". The statement clearly stated that Russia called on the US to end the "useless game" surrounding sanctions, because the result of these measures is always "zero", Russia called on the US to return to normal reason in its actions.

Previously, in a statement on its website on September 30, the US Treasury Department stated that the two Russian citizens sanctioned were Denis Kuzmin and Igor Nesterov. In addition, three businesses including Autolex Transport, Beratex Group and Linburg Industries, one ship and three aircraft of Russia were also subject to sanctions this time. The US also put a number of individuals who were already sanctioned and the above organizations on other "black" lists.

Mr. Macron hopes for a new phase in resolving the situation in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: THX/TTXVN

Sputniknews reported that on October 1, French President Emmanuel Macron said he hopes for a new phase in resolving the situation in Ukraine and implementing the Minsk agreements.

Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mr. Macron stated: "The Minsk agreements are something we want to promote together with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the coming weeks, we will have a meeting in the Normandy format at the level of heads of state and I want us to enter a new phase." The French leader added: "An important phase has passed after our talks this summer, that is, the prisoner exchange. Now, we must move towards implementing the "Steinmeier formula" and implementing the Minsk agreements."

US confirms resumption of nuclear talks with North Korea

US President Donald Trump (left) during a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. Photo: THX/TTXVN

On October 1, the US confirmed that it would resume nuclear talks with North Korea in the coming days. In a statement, US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said: "I can confirm that US and North Korean officials plan to meet next week," but did not provide further details about the meeting.

Earlier the same day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a statement by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui saying that the two countries had agreed to hold preliminary contacts on October 4, followed by expert-level talks on October 5. However, the North Korean official did not disclose the location of the meeting.

Taliban attack Afghan police headquarters, 11 people killed

The scene of a suicide bombing at the entrance of a police station in Afghanistan. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

At least 11 Afghan police officers were killed and more than 10 were captured when Taliban insurgents attacked a police headquarters in the northern Balkh province on October 1.

Balkh provincial officials said a group of more than 400 Taliban gunmen on motorbikes attacked the Shortepa district police headquarters and exchanged gunfire with police. Eleven policemen were killed in the attack, while several Taliban gunmen were also killed. Shortepa district chief Karim Khan said the Taliban had captured 13 other policemen and set fire to the police headquarters buildings before leaving. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.

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