Russia and the US are rushing to prepare for a summit, China is suing the US at the WTO, Ukraine is extending the state of war.

Germany fears Russia and US election interference, South Korea blocks DeepSeek, Philippines and US discuss "re-establishing deterrence" in the East Sea, US prepares to protest against President Trump, Argentina announces withdrawal from WHO, bloody clashes at the Niger border... are some of the notable international events in the past 24 hours.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra meets with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, February 6. (Source: Xinhua)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

Asia-Pacific

*Philippines and US discuss 're-establishing deterrence' in South China Sea: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed Washington's "unwavering" commitment to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines in a phone call with his counterpart in Manila, amid geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.

According to a Pentagon statement on the February 5 phone call between Hegseth and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., “the leaders discussed the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea” and the need to enhance the “capacity and capability” of the Philippine military.

In January, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized China's "dangerous and destabilizing" actions at sea, a statement that drew a sharp response from Beijing. (Bloomberg)

*South Korea blocks access to DeepSeek on military computers: South Korean officials said on February 6 that the country's Ministry of National Defense has blocked access to the DeepSeek artificial intelligence tool on the ministry's computers used for military purposes.

A day earlier, South Korea's foreign and trade ministries blocked access to China's DeepSeek tool over concerns about the risk of collecting user data. (Reuters)

*Chinese President holds talks with Thai Prime Minister: Xinhua News Agency reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Beijing on February 6, as the two countries move toward closer ties amid growing global instability.

Ms. Paetongtarn is on an official visit to China from February 5-8, her first visit to Beijing since taking office as Thai Prime Minister in August last year. The visit comes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Thailand diplomatic relations.

The talks between Xi Jinping and Paetongtarn took place as Beijing faces a new trade war with the United States, after US President Donald Trump announced a 10% tariff on all imports from China. (Reuters)

*China sues US at WTO: On February 5, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said China has filed a lawsuit against tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Chinese goods.

In a statement cited by the WTO, the Chinese government said the measures appeared to be inconsistent with the United States' obligations under the agreement that led to the establishment of the trade body.

Previously, after being re-elected, US President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. China immediately responded with tariffs targeting US energy imports, automobiles and machinery parts. (THX)

*Pakistan wants to resolve all issues with India through talks: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on February 5 that Pakistan wants to resolve all issues, including Kashmir, with India through talks as he reiterated his "unwavering" support for the people of Kashmir.

“India should come out of the mindset of August 5, 2019 and fulfill its commitments to the United Nations and initiate a dialogue,” Prime Minister Sharif urged, referring to India’s 2019 abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which stripped Jammu & Kashmir of its special status and divided the state into two Union Territories.

India has repeatedly stated its desire for normal neighborly relations with Pakistan. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since India abrogated Article 370. (the Dawn)

Europe

*Russia, US rush to prepare for summit: State news agency RIA quoted Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma (lower house) of Russia Leonid Slutsky as saying that preparations for the meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump are at "the peak stage".

Mr. Slutsky revealed that the meeting could take place in February or March. The Russian State Duma official expressed hope that the two leaders would discuss the situation in the Middle East.

President Trump and his counterpart Putin have both expressed a desire to hold a meeting with an agenda that could include nuclear arms control and global energy prices, as well as the US leader's stated goal of a quick end to the fighting in Ukraine. (Reuters)

* Germany fears Russian and US election interference: The results of a public opinion poll conducted by the German industry association Bitkom show that nearly 90% of Germans are concerned that foreign actors, mainly from Russia and the US, are trying to influence upcoming elections through social networks.

The Bitkom poll, which surveyed more than 1,000 eligible voters last month, found that 45% of respondents believed that Russia was leading the effort to manipulate the election, followed closely by the US at 42%, far ahead of China (26%) and Eastern Europe (8%) . (DW)

*Russia replaces the head of the Aerospace Agency: On February 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree to dismiss the Director General of the Russian Aerospace Agency (Roscosmos) Yuri Borisov and appoint Transport Ministry official Dmitry Bakanov to this position.

Commenting on the personnel decisions at this important body, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma (lower house) Committee on Economic Policy Denis Kravchenko affirmed that the Russian aerospace industry is in need of drastic changes, involving state participation and balancing private and national interests. (Sputniknews)

*Russia ready for serious dialogue on peace in Ukraine: Russian Ambassador to London Andrey Kelin said Moscow was ready for a very serious dialogue on a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine, but did not change its previous stance.

The ambassador noted that “a lot depends on what happens in the coming weeks and months,” but Russia needs to understand what will be presented at the upcoming negotiations. According to him, Russia is ready to negotiate based on the draft peace agreement presented in Istanbul in the spring of 2022.

According to ITV, Mr. Kelin also affirmed that Russia will not be ready to come to any agreement until Ukraine holds a new presidential election. The Russian ambassador said that Moscow is currently conducting "very preliminary contacts with the US side". (TASS)

*French Prime Minister survives first no-confidence vote in parliament: French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has survived the first no-confidence vote in parliament proposed by the hard-left, after the far-right National Rally (RN) party and the center-left Socialist Party did not support the motion.

On February 5, 128 lawmakers voted in favor of the first motion, well below the 289 votes needed.

Far-left lawmakers have submitted two no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Bayrou after he invoked special constitutional powers to pass the 2025 budget bill . (Reuters)

*Ukraine extends state of war: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law extending the state of war and nationwide mobilization for another 90 days, from February 8 to May 9.

Verkhovna Rada deputies voted to extend the state of war and general mobilization on January 15 until it expires on February 7.

On January 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his readiness to negotiate to resolve the problem in Ukraine. On February 4, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced his readiness to negotiate with the Russian leader if "there is no other choice".

Previously, in October 2022, Mr. Zelensky signed a decree refusing to negotiate with Russia while Mr. Putin was head of state. (AFP)

Middle East-Africa

*Israeli army plans to allow Gaza residents to "voluntarily leave": Israeli media reported that on February 6, Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the army to prepare a plan to allow residents to "voluntarily leave" the Gaza Strip.

The directive comes after US President Donald Trump's shocking announcement of a US plan to take over Gaza, resettle Palestinians living there and turn the territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East".

Israel's Channel 12 television quoted Mr. Katz: "I welcome President Trump's bold plan, the people of Gaza should be free to leave and emigrate, as is the practice all over the world."

Channel 12 reported that Mr. Katz's plan would include options for relocation through land border crossings, as well as special arrangements for travel by sea and air. (Reuters)

*Bloody clashes in Niger border area: Niger army has just announced information about serious clashes in the western border area, killing 10 soldiers and forcing retaliatory airstrikes, destroying 15 terrorists.

According to a statement from the Niger army on February 5, the incident occurred in the Tillaberi region bordering Burkina Faso, when a military unit on a mission to track down suspected cattle thieves was ambushed on February 3. Although ground and air reinforcements were mobilized immediately after the incident, the attackers were able to escape.

The incident comes as Niger is experiencing political turmoil following a coup in July 2023, when the military overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who was seen as an important ally in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region. (AFP)

* UAE brokers exchange of 300 Russian and Ukrainian prisoners: In a significant step towards humanitarian reconciliation efforts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully brokered a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), 150 prisoners from each side were safely returned on February 5.

This is considered the 12th notable success in the UAE's series of mediation efforts since the beginning of 2024. To date, the total number of prisoners released through the UAE's mediation role has reached 2,883 from both sides. (Al Jazeera)

*US denies possibility of attacking Iran: According to the Times of Israel on February 5, US President Donald Trump denied reports that the US and Israel would launch a military attack on Iran, saying he wanted to reach an agreement with Tehran.

"I want Iran to be a great and successful nation, but not one with nuclear weapons," Trump said. "Reports that the United States will cooperate with Israel to attack Iran are greatly exaggerated. I prefer a nuclear deal that allows Iran to grow and prosper peacefully." (Times of Israel)

*Somalia seizes ship carrying illegal weapons: Somali security forces have seized a ship carrying illegal military cargo in the northeastern state of Puntland. The incident took place amid regional tensions following US airstrikes against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization.

According to a statement on 5 February from the Puntland Counter-Terrorism Task Force, the ship was intercepted on the night of 3 February while moving off the coast of Qaw in Bari, the easternmost point of the Horn of Africa. The ship was carrying a large quantity of military uniforms and equipment. The ship was manned by Somali nationals, but the destination and purpose of the shipment are still being investigated. (Al Jazeera)

America - Latin America

*President Trump announced that the US will take over Gaza without soldiers: President Donald Trump announced on February 6 that Israel will hand over the Gaza Strip to the US after the war ends and the Pentagon will not need to deploy soldiers there.

In a Truth Social post, adding to his controversial comments about Gaza’s future this week, Trump wrote: “Israel will hand over the Gaza Strip to the United States at the end of the war. The Palestinians… will be resettled in much safer and more beautiful areas, with new, modern homes, in the area.” Trump added: “The United States does not need to send any troops!” (Reuters)

*Panama denies toll-free passage for US ships: The Panama Canal Authority announced on the evening of February 5 that it would not make any changes to fees or rights to pass through the canal, after the US State Department said US government ships could pass through without paying such fees.

The statement stressed that, with the highest sense of responsibility, the Panama Canal Authority, as already stated, is ready to establish a dialogue with US officials regarding the passage of US warships through this area.

Earlier the same day, on social network X, the US State Department announced: "The Government of Panama has agreed not to charge fees to US Government ships transiting through the Panama Canal." (Reuters)

*US President prepares executive order to dissolve the Department of Education: CNN on February 5 quoted informed sources as saying that US President Donald Trump is drafting an executive order to initiate a plan to eliminate the Department of Education. This is the latest action by the 47th owner of the White House to quickly fulfill his election pledges.

During his first term, Mr. Trump proposed merging the Department of Education and the Department of Labor, but this plan failed even though the Republican Party controlled both the Senate and the House of Representatives. (AFP)

*America prepares to protest against Trump's policies: A large-scale protest movement is spreading across the United States, to protest President Donald Trump's controversial policies and especially Project 2025 - a political handbook considered to have a far-right tendency on how to run the American government and society.

According to the AP news agency, this movement is being organized widely on social media platforms with two main hashtags: #buildtheresistance and #50501. This number represents the plan to organize 50 simultaneous protests in 50 states of the United States on the same day. Organizers have detailed plans for the protests, with the main locations being state capitol buildings and many other major cities. (AFP)

*Brazil affirms BRICS has the right to find alternatives to the USD: Brazilian President Lula da Silva affirmed that the group of leading emerging economies (BRICS) has the right to find alternatives to the USD in international trade, while warning that there will be countermeasures if the US imposes trade barriers on Brazil.

President Lula da Silva also issued a stern warning that Brazil would apply the principle of reciprocity if the US imposed tariff sanctions: "We will not hesitate to adjust tariffs up to 35% according to WTO regulations if necessary."

The Brazilian leader also expressed concern that dependence on the US dollar was creating trade barriers and limiting the financial sovereignty of developing countries. (AFP)

*Argentina announces withdrawal from WHO: On February 5, Argentine Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni announced that the country will withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and affirmed that with this decision, Buenos Aires "is moving towards a sovereign nation in health matters."

On the same day, on his X account, President Milei also criticized the lockdown policy applied in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which he accused the WHO of complicity in this action and the quarantine was a “crime against humanity”. Argentina's withdrawal from the WHO will take effect when President Milei signs the decree. (AP)

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