EU gives big gift, Ukraine breathes a sigh of relief; neutral European country suddenly "offers" to NATO; "Middle East fire pot" is burning

The EU agrees on a new aid package for Ukraine, Switzerland wants to strengthen cooperation with NATO, the Middle East is on fire from the Gaza Strip to the Red Sea and Iraq, the situation in the East Sea... are some of the outstanding international events in the past 24 hours.

EU agrees 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine. (Source: Shutterstock)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's outstanding international events:

Russia-Ukraine

* All 27 EU leaders agreed on a 50 billion Euro aid package for Ukraine from the European Union (EU) budget, according to European Council (EC) President Charles Michel announced on February 1 on social network X

According to Mr. Michel, this helps ensure stable, long-term funding for Ukraine, demonstrating leadership and responsibility to support Kiev.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal welcomed the decision, stressing that EU countries once again showed solidarity with Kiev.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that this would "strengthen long-term economic and financial stability" as the conflict with Russia enters its third year.

The Ukrainian economy ministry said Kiev expects to receive the first tranche of 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion) in EU aid next March. (Reuters, AFP)

* Ukraine will continue to attack Russia: On February 1, Director of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Agency Kyrylo Budanov threatened that the country will increase attacks on Russia's military infrastructure and important facilities.

On social networks, Mr. Budanov emphasized that Ukraine has a plan for this action.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph , Mr. Budanov confirmed that Ukrainian forces will continue to attack Russia this spring, declaring that Moscow's offensive campaign around the Donbass settlements of Kupyansk, Liman, Bakhmut and Avdeevka will "completely end" by early spring.

* Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian army Valeri Zaluzhny will be dismissed this week, according to CNN . By the end of the week, President Zelensky will sign the dismissal order.

According to CNN , on January 29, a meeting between the two highest leaders of the Ukrainian state and army took place at the President's office and afterwards, Mr. Zaluzhny submitted his resignation and refused the alternative position offered by President Zelensky.

The press revealed that Mr. Zaluzhny's resignation was a "preemptive strike" against President Zelensky's intention to remove him from office. The Kiev government later had to deny that it had removed the head of the army while the country was in a state of war.

Meanwhile, on January 31, Reuters quoted a source from the Ukrainian military as saying that Infantry Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi had been proposed to replace Mr. Zaluzhnyi.

* Reconstruction of Ukraine: On January 31, Ankara and Kiev signed an agreement allowing Turkish construction companies to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure damaged in the conflict with Russia.

Senior officials from both countries signed a document defining the terms of the “Türkiye-Ukraine Reconstruction Task Force” and discussed the role Ankara “will play in the reconstruction.”

Türkiye also affirmed its readiness to cooperate with third countries in this effort.

Key areas in need of reconstruction are housing and transport, including roads, bridges and railways, as well as Ukraine's waterways infrastructure.

A day earlier, in Japan, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio chaired the 4th Meeting of the Committee for Promoting Ukraine's Reconstruction to prepare for the Japan-Ukraine Economic Reconstruction Promotion Conference scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, on February 19.

Prime Minister Kishida emphasized that Japan will promote its valuable experience in post-war reconstruction and economic recovery after natural disasters, effectively utilize the knowledge and technology of Japanese enterprises as well as the participation of both the public and private sectors to support Ukraine. (Reuters, Kyodo)

Middle East

* US-Houthi: On January 31, Houthi announced that this force launched several anti-ship missiles at the US container ship KOI on its way to Israel. The missiles "hit the target directly".

According to the movement, this action was “in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza and in response to the aggression of the US and UK against Yemen”. According to Mr. Sarea, the Houthi missiles “hit their targets directly”.

On the same day, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement confirming that its forces had attacked and destroyed a number of surface-to-air missiles in Yemen that the Houthis were preparing to launch, considering them a "potential threat to aircraft" of Washington.

In addition, a CBS News reporter on the same day also quoted a senior defense official in Bahrain as saying that the US had attacked 10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that were preparing to launch in western Yemen. (Reuters)

* US-Iraq: On January 31, AFP quoted the White House's announcement accusing the Islamic Resistance militia group in Iraq of being behind the January 28 UAV attack on a base in Jordan that killed 3 US soldiers and injured 40 others.

President Joe Biden revealed that he has decided on how the US will respond to the above attack, but has not announced details about the plan or the time of deployment.

Meanwhile, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stressed: "We will respond in a time, manner and schedule of our choosing."

* Israel-US-Palestine: On January 31, Israel's Walla newspaper quoted two senior US government officials as saying that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had asked the US State Department to prepare advice on the possibility of recognizing an independent Palestinian state just one day after the end of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

In the coming days, Mr. Blinken is expected to soon make his fifth trip to the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out on October 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, White House spokesman John Kirby said the US is seeking a ceasefire for the maximum period of time in the war in Gaza to free the hostages, while pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a plan to end the military campaign in Gaza.

Washington also made clear its stance to Israel on opposing any move to reduce the size of Palestinian territories, including plans to establish a buffer zone.

* Israel-Hamas: On the night of January 31, state television station KAN reported that the Hamas movement had just demanded that Israel release all members of the elite Nukhba force captured on October 7, 2023, in exchange for releasing the hostages.

The Nukhba force, which includes Hamas’s most elite fighters, was the first to cross into Israeli territory on October 7. Hamas’ request has been received and discussed by Israeli authorities, but no decision has been announced.

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the same day as affirming that he is trying his best and is always committed to rescuing the hostages held by Hamas.

* The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met on the Middle East crisis on January 31 as the war in the Gaza Strip showed no signs of abating.

This session focused on assessing the provisional rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the United Nations regarding the allegations of genocide in Gaza and the humanitarian situation there.

UN Secretary-General Guterres affirmed the importance of maintaining the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to meet the essential needs of people in the Gaza Strip, as well as continuing to provide services to Palestinian refugees in other areas such as the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Mr. Guterres reaffirmed that the legally binding judgments of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the allegations of genocide in Gaza, as well as international humanitarian law, must be followed in all circumstances. (UN News)

Europe

* Switzerland wants to strengthen cooperation with NATO: On February 1, the Swiss government announced plans to consider the idea of ​​deploying conscripts for joint training missions, as well as regulations on the transit of foreign military personnel through the country.

Overall, the plan aims to strengthen cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the defense sector.

“Switzerland has largely imposed the current restrictions on itself. Therefore, their abandonment or at least their adjustment within the framework of neutral law is subject to further assessment,” the statement said.

The government also said it would not impose any obligations or reliance or constraints that were inconsistent with the country's neutrality. (SWI)

* Russia puts faith in relations with Italy : On January 31, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the country is confident that “no one can destroy the solid foundation of Moscow-Rome relations”, despite the fact that currently, “all areas of bilateral interaction have been frozen”.

According to her, Italy abandoning its anti-Russian policy and gradually restoring substantive cooperation and mutual respect "would be truly beneficial to the common good."

Moscow asserts that there is no doubt about the fact that “the Italian people, with their intelligence, foresight and common sense, will sooner or later understand how counterproductive the current destructive anti-Russian path is.” (ANSA)

* Armenia joins the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to information from the Official Representative of Armenia for International Legal Affairs Yeghishe Kirakosyan.

Previously, in March 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin affirmed that Russia does not recognize the ICC's authority and considers its decisions invalid.

Asia

* China warned that missile debris is expected to fall into the East Sea on the morning of February 3, from 7am to 8am local time (6am to 7am Hanoi time). The cause of the incident was not made clear.

Coordinates indicate the debris could fall east of Hainan Island. Access to the area is restricted during this time. (Reuters)

* The Philippines will buy submarines as part of its third phase of military modernization.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the third phase of this modernization, reflecting a strategic shift from internal to external defense.

Philippine Navy officials could not say exactly how many submarines they plan to buy, but "it is definitely more than one." (Reuters)

* Pakistan will hold general elections as scheduled on February 8 in any case, according to Pakistan's caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz.

A caretaker government in Pakistan has been formed to run the country since the country's parliament dissolved on August 9, 2023.

According to the Pakistani Constitution, a general election should be held within 90 days of the dissolution of Parliament, but the election date has been repeatedly postponed for various reasons, causing mixed reactions. (Reuters)

* The US Navy deployed three aircraft carriers to the Western Pacific, including the USS Carl Vinson, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Ronald Reagan. This is the first time in two years that three US aircraft carriers have been present in the region.

These ships participated in exercises with ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from January 29 to January 2 to "enhance the Japan-US Alliance's ability to effectively deter and respond."

The Multi-Large Deck exercise, which took place in the Philippine Sea “in accordance with international law in international waters,” included “air defense exercises, maritime surveillance, deck exercises and tactical maneuvers to enhance unique elite combat capabilities.” (Nikkei Asia)

* Myanmar has a new Chairman of the Election Commission: On January 31, the official television channel MRTV reported that the Myanmar State Administrative Council appointed a new Chairman of the Election Commission and Ministers after extending the state of emergency for another 6 months.

According to the council's order, Mr. U Ko Ko will become the new Chairman of the country's Union Election Commission, replacing Mr. U Thein Soe; Mr. U Aung Aung takes over the position of Governor of Shan State from his predecessor U Aung Zaw Aye.

The Council also appointed a Deputy Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, a new member of the Union Election Commission and a new member of the Union Civil Service Commission by separate order.

America

* The Pentagon has added to its list of companies that work with the Chinese military to highlight entities it accuses of having such ties.

New additions to the list include semiconductor chipmaker YMTC, artificial intelligence company Megvii, laser distance measuring (lidar) technology maker Hesai Technology and technology company NetPosa.

While the companies on the list will not be subject to a short-term ban, they will suffer serious reputational damage and serve as a clear warning to US entities considering doing business with them.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the move. (Reuters)

* The US sanctions a series of entities and individuals in many countries: On January 31, the US Treasury Department imposed additional sanctions on two entities believed to be linked to the Myanmar military government, including the Shwe Byain Phyu Group and the Myanmar Five Star Line shipping company.

The department also announced sanctions on three entities and one individual in Lebanon and Türkiye for “providing significant financial support” to financial networks used by Iran’s Quds Force and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

In addition, the US imposed sanctions on three companies linked to Sudan's rival parties: Alkhaleej Bank and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and Zadna International, controlled by the Sudanese military. (Reuters)

Africa

* The US and Morocco will host a conference on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the southern city of Marrakech on January 31.

The conference, which runs until February 2, is part of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) - a global effort to stop the movement of dangerous materials by land, air and sea.

The conference was held to encourage African countries to support PSI and use national resources to create legal, diplomatic and military tools to combat the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. (THX)

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