US-North Korea summit fails to reach agreement; Pakistan ready to return Indian pilot
(Baonghean.vn) - The US-North Korea summit failed to reach an agreement; Pakistan is ready to return the captured Indian pilot; the United Nations is considering two opposing draft resolutions on Venezuela; Russia warns of retaliation if the US deploys new missiles in Europe... are the world's top news in the past 24 hours.
US-North Korea summit ends early without agreement
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US President Donald Trump (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Photo:AFP. |
- The White House confirmed that the second round of talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un did not reach any further agreements. "President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un had good and constructive meetings. The two leaders discussed many ways to advance denuclearization and ideas to boost the economy," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. "However, no agreement was reached at this time. The two teams look forward to additional meetings in the future," she announced.
High-ranking North Korean officials visit China after US-North Korea Summit
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| North Korean Vice Minister Ri Kil-song (left) during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) in Beijing, China on February 28. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on February 28 that a delegation from the country's Foreign Ministry, led by Vice Minister Ri Kil-song, arrived in Beijing to begin a visit to China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the two countries will discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern.
The officials' visit took place right after the second US-North Korea Summit in Hanoi ended, fueling rumors that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could visit Beijing on his way back to Pyongyang after his summit with US President Donald Trump.
Russia warns of retaliation if US deploys new missiles in Europe
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INF Treaty. Photo courtesy of Yorkshire CND. |
Russia warned on February 27 that it would be ready to respond appropriately if the US deployed new missiles in Europe. Earlier this month, the US announced that it would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in six months if Russia did not end its violations. Russia denied the accusations and also announced the suspension of its obligations to implement the Treaty.
Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations, Russia's Deputy Representative for Disarmament Affairs to the United Nations Alexander Devneko affirmed that Russia's weapons would respond to a direct threat against the country. Meanwhile, US Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs to the United Nations Robert Wood said that the US had no reason to believe that Russia would comply with the INF Treaty, and that Russia's response was a "dangerous message".
Pakistan ready to return captured Indian pilot |
The wreckage of an Indian military aircraft believed to have been shot down by Pakistan in Budgam, 100km from Srinagar in Indian-controlled Kashmir on February 27, 2019. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
On February 28, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that his country would return the Indian pilot captured this week if it would help ease tensions with neighboring India. State-run Geo TV quoted Mr. Qureshi as saying: "We are ready to return the captured Indian pilot if it leads to a reduction in tensions."
On February 27, Pakistan released a video of an Indian pilot captured after Pakistan shot down two aircraft and captured the Indian pilot. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs strongly protested Pakistan's release of the image of the injured Indian Air Force officer captured by Pakistan, emphasizing that this violated the Geneva Convention and International Humanitarian Law.
UN considers two opposing draft resolutions on Venezuela
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Venezuelan President Maduro. Photo: TodayVenezuela. |
The United States has called for a vote on a draft UN resolution urging the “peaceful restoration of democracy” in Venezuela and the holding of free and fair presidential elections, as well as facilitating the distribution of humanitarian aid to all those most in need. The draft resolution is expected to be voted on on the afternoon of February 28, US time. However, the draft resolution could face a veto from Russia, a country that supports Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Russia also circulated a counter-draft resolution expressing concern about the use of force against Venezuela and interference in its internal affairs. The Russian draft asserted that international disputes should be resolved peacefully and the situation in Venezuela should be resolved through peaceful means.
US calls for recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights
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| The Israeli flag in the Golan Heights. Photo: Reuters |
According to Sputnik, a new bill proposed by lawmakers from both houses of the US Congress on February 27 called for recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights as a strategy against Iran and Syria. The Senate copy of the bill reads: "It shall be the policy of the United States... to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights."
The bill also accuses Iran of exploiting the war in Syria to establish a permanent military presence in the Levant to attack Israel through the Golan Heights and to establish supply corridors from within the territory to supply weapons to its soldiers and terrorist proxies. It also asserts that it is in the US interest for Israel to maintain control of the territory to ensure the Syrian government faces “diplomatic and geopolitical consequences” for killing civilians and using chemical weapons.
