Ukraine's President Ready to Talk with Russia; North Korea Reminds US: 'Patience Has Its Limits'

Ukrainian President Zelensky affirms readiness to negotiate with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: Getty Images

On June 4, new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed his country's goal of joining the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and said he was ready to negotiate with Russia to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine. "The strategic direction that Ukraine pursues to become a full member of the EU and NATO remains unchanged," Mr. Zelensky affirmed.

Mr. Zelensky also said that Russia's military power is "a big challenge," but he wants to restore the peace agreement reached in Minsk (Belarus) to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine. He stressed that Ukraine is ready to negotiate with Russia and is ready to implement the Minsk agreement, but "Ukraine must first be able to defend itself."

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping reviews the honor guard at a welcoming ceremony in Moscow, Russia, June 5. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

According to the plan, Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks with President Putin. The two sides will review and evaluate the achievements and development of bilateral relations over the past 7 decades and outline future development directions. In addition, the two leaders will also sign or witness the signing of important cooperation documents and attend the ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Republican lawmakers want to block Chinese students' 'American dream'

Chinese students attend a graduation ceremony at Columbia University in the US - Photo: Chinanews.com

News agencyReutersOn June 5, a number of US congressmen, mostly members of the Republican Party, have proposed a number of tough bills to "block the way" of Chinese students and scholars, due to concerns about US national security while the US-China trade war is still "smoldering".

The bills would require U.S. colleges and universities to more fully report on funding they receive from China, as well as ban students or scholars with ties to the Chinese military from entering the U.S., and place new limits on access to sensitive academic research. However, the news agencyReutersThe individual bills are unlikely to pass, despite growing concerns among both Republicans and Democrats about the threats China poses to US security.

North Korea reminds the US: 'Patience has its limits'

South Korean people watch news of North Korea's missile launch in May. Photo: AFP

North Korea's foreign ministry warned the United States late on June 4 that commitments made at the Singapore summit in June 2018 could be scrapped if Washington does not change its attitude. "Whether the June 12 DPRK-US joint statement will come into effect or become a blank sheet of paper depends on how the US responds to our reasonable and fair stance," a foreign ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The official said it was the US’s responsibility to look back at the events of a year ago and consider what the right strategic choice was “before it is too late.” The spokesman said the US should change its calculus and respond to North Korea’s request as soon as possible. “Our patience has its limits,” the official stressed.

Japan to ban free plastic bags to fight ocean pollution

A woman buys fruit in a free plastic bag at a store in Tokyo. Photo:Reuters.

Japan's Environment Ministry is set to propose new regulations banning the practice of giving out plastic bags for free, while requiring stores and retailers to charge customers for plastic bags. "The proportion of plastic bags in plastic waste is not large, but charging a fee is symbolic of Japan's efforts to reduce plastic waste entering the ocean," Environment Minister Yoshiaki Harada said on June 4. He said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe believes the measure is the right direction and called for "close listening to public opinion."

Japan is the world’s second-largest per capita producer of plastic waste after the United States and lags behind other countries in curbing its use of plastic. The environment ministry hopes retailers will charge a few yen to 10 yen ($0.092) per plastic bag to discourage consumers from using plastic bags. The ministry also plans to require retailers to use the proceeds from plastic bag charges for anti-pollution measures such as afforestation and raising awareness about marine pollution.

Egypt: Attack in North Sinai, many security personnel killed

Egyptian security forces patrol in al-Rawda, North Sinai. Photo: THX/TTXVN

Gunmen attacked a series of security checkpoints in North Sinai on June 5, killing at least eight security personnel, Egyptian state television reported. On the same day, Egyptian state media released photos of the gunmen who were killed. Some of the attackers escaped and security forces are tracking them. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attacks came as Muslims began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Egypt has suffered a wave of terrorist attacks that have left hundreds of soldiers and police dead since the military overthrew former President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.