North Korea warns against US-South Korea drills; Zelensky and Putin will speak by phone again

North Korea warns US-South Korea drills could affect nuclear talks

South Korean amphibious assault vehicles during a military exercise with the US. Photo: Reuters

“Less than a month after the Panmunjom summit between the leaders of the DPRK and the US, the US side is moving to resume the joint military exercises which the top leadership had promised to stop,” the North Korean Foreign Ministry said, calling it a clear violation of the spirit of the June 12, 2018, declaration signed by the two leaders in Singapore and a pressure on Pyongyang. “It is obvious that the exercises are training and experimenting for the war of crushing our republic... While the US is not living up to its promises, our reasons for keeping the agreement are gradually disappearing,” the North Korean Foreign Ministry said.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Putin will speak again by phone.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Photo: Sputnik

Deputy Chief of Staff of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Vadim Pristayko, said there was a possibility of another phone call between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents, but said there was no agreement on the date yet.

“There will be a telephone conversation. You know that the basis of this phone call, in fact, was 99% of the time devoted to the issue of the release of our sailors and other prisoners. On this issue – the release of our people – we are ready to talk every day, if necessary for progress,” he said. Mr. Pristaiko stressed that contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin is not a taboo for Mr. Zelensky if it helps free Ukrainian citizens.

Iran says ready for dialogue if US lifts sanctions

Illustration: SETA

On July 16, in an interview with the US television channel NBC, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that Tehran is ready to consult with Washington if the sanctions imposed against Iran are lifted. Mr. Zarif stated: “When the sanctions are lifted, then there will be an opportunity for negotiations,” while emphasizing that the US sanctions are hurting the Iranian people, especially those in need of medicine and special care.

Iran's top diplomat said that US President Donald Trump does not want to start a war with Iran, but "officials close to the White House owner want this."

Ignoring EU sanctions, Türkiye continues oil and gas exploration

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on July 16 that the European Union (EU) sanctions against Türkiye will not affect Ankara's oil and gas drilling and exploration activities in the area off the coast of Cyprus. Turkey's statement came as the EU agreed on sanctions against Ankara for "illegally" moving an oil rig into Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. The EU sanctions include suspending high-level dialogue between the EU and Türkiye, suspending aviation negotiations between the two sides and cutting 145.8 million euros in EU accession aid for Türkiye.

The European Investment Bank has also been asked to review the terms of its financial support to Ankara. In June, the EU warned Ankara for the first time that it would face sanctions if it did not withdraw its offshore drilling rig, which borders the area of ​​Cyprus that Turkey has controlled since its 1974 invasion.

Economic migrants run out of ways to enter the US

Migrants sleep outside a church in Mexico on July 14 while waiting for asylum in the US. Photo: Reuters

Reuters news agency on July 15 quoted the US Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice as saying that migrants crossing from Mexico to the southern border of the US will not be able to apply for asylum in this country. Those who have never applied for asylum in a "third country" on their way to the US border will also have no chance of applying for asylum in the US.

The new rule only allows exceptions for victims of human trafficking or torture. However, the US considers most southern migrants to be economic migrants and ineligible for asylum. "The United States is a generous country, but it is completely overwhelmed by the burden of hundreds of thousands of people being detained and processed at the southern border," Attorney General William Barr said, adding that the policy is aimed at restricting foreign migrant workers and those who want to exploit the asylum system to enter the US. Acting US Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said the measure was necessary because previous policies had failed to stem the flow of migrants.

Thai Prime Minister declares end to military rule

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha officially announced the end of military rule after 5 years on July 15. Mr. Prayut resigned as head of the military government and declared that Thailand would return to a normal democracy after 5 years, according to Reuters.

In a nationally televised speech, Prayut said the military government had achieved results in many areas, from tackling illegal fishing and human trafficking to the rescue of a young soccer team trapped in a flooded cave last year. “Thailand is now a fully democratic country with an active monarchy and a parliament with elected members. All issues will be handled normally based on the democratic system without using any special powers,” he said.