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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012786

As the US Biden administration imposes economic sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine, South Korean firms including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are expected to take collateral damage.

On Friday, President Joe Biden unveiled comprehensive economic sanctions to cripple the Russian economy. The sanctions would limit the export of products that can potentially increase Russia’s ability to advance its military and aerospace sector.

The sanctions would prohibit companies from selling products such as telecommunications equipment, lasers, sensors and of course, chips to Russia. For Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, who sold chips worth 88.5 billion won ($73.5 million) to Russia last year, the damage is inevitable unless they find an alternative market.

“All the chips in the market are based on designs by US companies, including those manufactured by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix,” a chip industry official said.

Park Jae-geun, the chairman of the Korean Society of Semiconductor and Display Technology, expressed concerns that demand on the entire consumer electronics could slow down.

“The sanctions will indirectly limit the sales of chips that go inside Russian smartphones, laptops and data centers. This can curb the demand on consumer electronics and dampen the chip market,” Park said.

Korean-made cars and auto equipment, which take up 25.5 percent and 15.1 percent of Korea’s exports to Russia, are expected to take a hit as well.

As auto chips are manufactured by five major companies — NXP of the Netherlands, Infineon of Germany, Renesas of Japan, Texas Instruments of the US and STMicroelectronics of Switzerland -– Korean cars mounted with those chips are likely to face restrictions in the Russian market.

In 2014, when Russia forcefully annexed Crimea, Korea’s export of cars and tires plunged 62.1 percent and 55.7 percent, respectively.

Hyundai Motor and its sister company Kia, who run factories that churn out 230,000 cars per year in Russia, are within the range of the sanctions. More than 90 percent of Korean auto parts exports to Russia go to the two automakers.

“Last year, Korea exported auto parts worth $1.5 billion. For domestic parts companies, Russia is the biggest market next to the US and China. Due to the sanctions, they will be forced to supply their products to somewhere else, but those who can’t will take a hit,” an auto parts industry official said.

By Kim Byung-wook

Published : February 26, 2022

By : The Korea Herald

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012785

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam on Friday said it is seriously concerned with the armed conflict situation in Ukraine and called for restraint on the part of all sides.

Asked about the latest developments in Ukraine as Russia launched special military operations against the country, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng on Friday urged “all relevant parties to exercise restraint, abide by the United Nations Charter and basic principles of international law, refrain from using force, protect the people, continue with dialogue to seek a peaceful resolution, contributing to the maintenance of peace, security, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world.”

The spokesperson said Việt Nam is paying special attention to the Vietnamese community in Ukraine, asking for the protection of life, safety, assets, legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens and businesses here.

“All Vietnamese representative missions in Ukraine along with local authorities are closely coordinating, and ready to conduct citizen protection efforts,” Hằng said.

The Vietnamese ambassador to Ukraine Nguyễn Hồng Thạch said on Facebook Friday morning that the embassy staff had already evacuated to an underground bunker, as reports of Russian forces already nearing the Ukraine capital Kiev with loud explosions suspected to be caused by rockets heard.

Thạch urged Vietnamese citizens here to shelter in place and said travel for evacuation right now is unsafe.

Earlier yesterday when Russia’s military operations commenced, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a document has advised the Vietnamese community in Ukraine to keep a close watch on the development of the situation and try to ensure the safety of their lives and assets amid current political tensions.

Sharing difficulties facing the community, the ministry has asked Vietnamese people to keep calm and strictly follow the notifications and guidance of local authorities.

Security, order, and traffic in some cities may be unstable, so people should consider staying in place, preparing essentials, and finding a safe shelter; and carefully check luggage, vehicles, petroleum and personal papers if they really have to move, the ministry noted.

It also recommended Vietnamese expats keep in touch with Vietnamese associations and friends and help one another.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine will make efforts to protect citizens and support the community to overcome difficulties.

To receive assistance in case of need, Vietnamese people in Ukraine can contact the following phone numbers and emails:

Embassy of Việt Nam in Ukraine: +380 63 863 8999; Email: vnemb.ua@mofa.gov.vn.

Citizen Protection Call Centre of the Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +84 981 84 84 84; email: baohocongdan@gmail.com.

Call Centre of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +84 24 38240 401, ext 0 or 100 (outside office hours) or 141, 269 (during office hours); email: vu1.ubnv@gmail.com. — VNS

Published : February 26, 2022

By : Vietnam News

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012784

Amid the Russian invasion of his country, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today telephoned Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and shared his assessment of the current situation in the region.

“Received call from Ukrainian FM @DmytroKuleba. He shared his assessment of the current situation. I emphasised that India supports diplomacy & dialogue as the way out,” Jaishankar tweeted later.

He said he had also discussed with the Ukrainian minister the predicament of Indian nationals, including students, stranded in Ukraine. Jaishankar appreciated Ukraine’s support for the safe return of Indian nationals to their homeland.

The Indian minister has been engaged in hectic diplomacy ever since Russia launched military operations in Ukraine. He has already spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken among his counterparts over the Conflict.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday and called for “concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue”.

Published : February 26, 2022

By : The Statesman

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012783

Japan on Friday announced additional sanctions against Russia over its military invasion of Ukraine, following in the footsteps of the United States, the European Union and Britain.

The coordinated sanctions involving Group of Seven nations include export controls on semiconductors and other high-tech products, and financial sanctions on major Russian banks.

The measures reflect a determination among the countries concerned to make it clear that actions that shake the foundations of the international order will not be tolerated.

Washington aims to deal a blow to Russia’s military and aerospace sectors by restricting exports of semiconductors and telecommunications equipment.

At a press conference at the White House on Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden said, “Between our actions and those of our allies and partners, we estimate that we’ll cut off more than half of Russia’s high-tech imports.”

The financial sanctions will target five major banks, including Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank. The United States will sever the banks’ connections to the U.S. financial system. It will also restrict trading in bonds and stocks issued by major Russian companies, including Gazprom, one of the world’s largest gas companies.

It stopped short of banning Russian financial institutions from SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, which provides payment networks to banks around the world.

“That’s not the position the rest of Europe wishes to take,” Biden said.

The British government on Thursday announced that it will freeze the assets of all Russian financial institutions in Britain and ban the export of important technologies that can be used for military purposes such as communications and aerospace. It also plans to ban Russia’s largest airline Aeroflot from flying in its airspace.

The European Union held an emergency summit meeting in Brussels on the day, and agreed to impose additional sanctions on Russia’s financial, energy and transportation industries.

At a press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tokyo “will work closely with the G7 and the international community to strengthen sanctions.”

Japan’s sanctions will focus on restricting exports of semiconductors and other general-purpose goods to Russia, freezing the assets of Russian financial institutions, individuals and organizations, and halting visa issuance.

Financial sanctions will be imposed on three banks, including state-run VEB (the Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs). The government will also tighten screening for semiconductors and other products.

The situation in Ukraine “cannot be ignored from the viewpoint of our country’s security,” said Kishida. “In cooperation with the international community, we will send out a strong message that changing the status quo by force will not be tolerated in any region, including Asia.”

Published : February 26, 2022

By : The Japan News

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012782

Chinese leader says security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously

President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China supports Russia and Ukraine in resolving their tensions through negotiations, reiterating Beijing’s consistent position in respecting countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity and upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the escalation of the Ukrainian issue on Thursday. Both leaders exchanged their views about the current Ukraine situation.

Xi said China decides its position based on the merits of the Ukrainian issue. It maintains that Cold War mentality should be completely abandoned, reasonable security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and respected, and a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism should be formed through dialogue and negotiation, he added.

Xi’s remarks came after Putin briefed him on the historical evolution of the Ukrainian issue as well as the development of Russia’s special military operation in the eastern region of Ukraine and Russia’s position.

Putin said that the United States and NATO had been neglecting Russia’s legitimate concerns about security issues, broke their commitments and continued to expand eastward with military deployments. Such moves have challenged Russia’s strategic bottom line, he added.

The Russian president said his country is willing to develop high-level negotiations with Ukraine.

Xi said that the drastic changes in the situation of the eastern region of Ukraine have drawn a high level of attention from the international community.

China stands ready to work with the international community to promote a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at the core and the international order underpinned by international law, he said.

Xi also expressed to Putin his appreciation that the Russian leader attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and he congratulated the Russian athletes on their outstanding performance in the Games by ranking second in the Games medal tally.

Putin expressed his warm congratulations to the Chinese people on Beijing’s complete success in hosting the Games as well as the excellent performance of the Chinese sports delegation in the Games.

President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China supports Russia and Ukraine in resolving their tensions through negotiations, reiterating Beijing’s consistent position in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the Ukraine issue escalated on Thursday.

He said China decides its position based on the merits of the Ukrainian issue. It maintains that the Cold War mentality should be completely abandoned, countries’ reasonable security concerns should be respected and a balanced, effective and sustained European security mechanism should be finally formed through dialogue and negotiation, Xi added.

For his part, Putin said that the Russian side is ready to hold high-level negotiations with the Ukrainian side.

By CAO DESHENG

Published : February 26, 2022

By : China Daily

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012739

GENEVA — Việt Nam is among five countries newly selected to receive mRNA vaccine technology transfer from a global biomanufacturing training hub established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in South Africa.

Việt Nam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Serbia will receive support from the hub in South Africa, the WHO said in a press conference late Wednesday.

“Those countries were vetted by a group of experts and proved that they could absorb the technology and, with targeted training, move to production relatively quickly,” according to the WHO.

During the event, the WHO also announced the establishment of a similar hub in the Republic of Korea. These hubs will serve all low- and middle-income countries wishing to produce biologicals, such as vaccines, insulin, monoclonal antibodies and cancer treatments.

“One of the key barriers to successful technology transfer in low- and middle-income countries is the lack of a skilled workforce and weak regulatory systems,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Building those skills will ensure that they can manufacture the health products they need at a good quality standard so that they no longer have to wait at the end of the queue.”

“Although Việt Nam is a developing country, we have had a lot of experience in vaccine development over the past decades,” said Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyễn Thanh Long during the virtual address.

”The WHO has also recognised our National Regulatory Authority. We believe that in participating in this initiative, Việt Nam will be able to produce the mRNA vaccine on a large scale, not only for domestic consumption but also for other countries in the region and the world, contributing to reducing inequalities in access to vaccines,” Long said.

He said he was glad the WHO had selected Việt Nam as one of the vaccine manufacturers, and the Government and the Ministry of Health of Việt Nam were committed to providing the “maximum facilitation” for Vietnamese vaccine producers to receive the transferred production technology.

The mRNA vaccine is an advanced technology that allows fast modification and updates in response to new variants of the virus and production in large quantities. It is meaningful in the context of the pandemic and helps to respond to other pandemics that might arise in the future, Long noted.

With the capacity and enthusiasm of manufacturers as well as the determination of the Government, Việt Nam hopes to continue receiving the support of WHO and partners to be able to master and update mRNA vaccine technology in the future. This will help enhance vaccine production capacity in the region, contributing to efforts to ensure national and regional health security, said the Vietnamese health official.

Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs from Indonesia, said that Indonesia was one of the countries that continuously supports vaccine equity and equal access to COVID vaccines for all countries, including through the transfer of vaccine technology and know-how to developing countries.

“This transfer of technology will contribute to equal access to health countermeasures, which will help us to recover together and recover stronger. This is the kind of solution that developing countries need. A solution that empowers and strengthens our self-reliance, as well as a solution that allows us to contribute to global health resilience,” she said.

Many countries have responded to the call from the WHO for expressions of interest from the technology transfer hub in late 2021.

The WHO said it would provide support to all respondents but was prioritising countries that did not have mRNA technology but already had some biomanufacturing capacity.

The WHO previously announced six African countries – Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia – and two Latin American nations – Argentina and Brazil – as the first on their continents to receive mRNA technology from the global hub.

The global organisation will enter into discussions with other interested countries, and other mRNA technology recipients will be announced in the coming months. 

Training is expected for the selected countries from March. — VNS

Published : February 25, 2022

By : Vietnam News

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012738

Principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the UN charter are sacrosanct and must be fully respected by all member states: Foreign Ministry.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Nepal has called on all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint not to escalate tensions.

“The Government of Nepal has been closely following the developments in Ukraine,” reads the ministry statement. “As a member of the United Nations, Nepal views that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the UN charter are sacrosanct and must be fully respected by all member states.”

According to the statement, recognition of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent entities goes contrary to the provisions of the UN charter.

“Nepal opposes any use of force against a sovereign country in any circumstance and believes in peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomacy and dialogue,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine in what appeared to be the start of war in Europe over Russia’s demands for an end to NATO’s eastward expansion.

Reuters reported that Russian forces fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities and landed troops on its south coast, after Putin authorised what he called a special military operation in the east.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had urged Nepalis not to visit Ukraine unless absolutely necessary, just as Russia-Ukraine tension was building.

Published : February 25, 2022

By : The Kathmandu Post

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012737

Korean embassy in Ukraine urges residents to move to safe areas

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said that the country will cooperate with the international community, including measures such as sanctions against Russia, following Russian attack on Ukraine.

Tensions between Moscow and Kyiv are at their highest in years after Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on the day.

“The use of force that causes innocent casualties cannot be justified under any circumstances,” Moon said in the afternoon after receiving a report from the head of the National Security Office regarding the Ukraine incident. “Despite the continued warnings from the international community and efforts to resolve through diplomacy, the feared armed invasion occurred in Ukraine.”

He said, “As a responsible member of the international community, South Korea will support and join the international community’s efforts, including economic sanctions, to curb armed invasion and resolve the situation peacefully.

Earlier in the morning, the Foreign Ministry released a statement saying the South Korean government is closely discussing countermeasures with its allies, including the US, in a situation where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can be seen as “imminent.”

“Despite repeated warnings from the international community, if Russia engages in any form of all-out war, it is clear that the Korean government will have no choice but to participate in sanctions such as export controls against Russia,” the ministry said.

The government said it would “review and find possible ways to minimize the damage to the Korean economy and businesses” that may be caused by these measures.

The South Korean Embassy in Ukraine urged Korean residents to move safe places, saying all employees of the Russian Embassy have left Ukraine and the possibility of Russia’s invasion is increasing.

“All employees of the Russian Embassy and consulate in Ukraine left the country in a hurry on (Feb.) 23 (local time),” the Korean Embassy in Ukraine said in an emergency notice posted on its website. “It was further confirmed that embassy staff of some other countries also stopped working in a hurry and left Kyiv.”

The embassy said the seriousness of the situation is very high, and the possibility of Russia’s attack is also increasing.

“Considering the urgent changes in the situation, we strongly recommend that Korean residents still staying in Ukraine be fully prepared to move quickly to a safe area in case of an emergency.”

The embassy also asked the remaining Korean residents to keep in touch with the embassy.

At the end of last month, the number of Koreans residing in Ukraine reached 600. However, after the government issued a travel warning level 4 throughout Ukraine on Feb. 13, most of them have been evacuated to safe areas.

Currently, 64 Korean residents are in Ukraine. The number excludes 10 Koreans from the Crimean Peninsula and government officials. Thirty-six people are expected to leave the country soon, but the rest are reportedly hoping to remain.

The military authorities plan to deploy military transport planes to evacuate Korean citizens staying in Ukraine in case of an emergency.

Defense Ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan said on Tuesday, “The Ministry of National Defense will actively cooperate to transfer overseas Koreans when requested in connection with this situation,” adding, “We are maintaining a close cooperation system with related agencies and countries.”


By Shin Ji-hye

Published : February 25, 2022

By : The Korea Herald

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Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi as one of the most powerful and respected leaders of the world, Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Polikha today appealed to India to use its good offices with Russia to stop the ongoing military operation in Ukraine.

Speaking to the media here, Polikha noted that India has a special privileged strategic partnership with Russia and its voice was heard by Moscow. ”We are expecting a much more favourable attitude of the Indian government,” he added.

Describing the Russian military operation in his country as ”naked aggression by a totalitarian regime”, he wondered if Russian President Valdimir Putin would listen to any world leader barring Modi.

Pointing out that India was the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for many years, the Ukrainian envoy said; ”The NAM was created in the time of the Cold War just to prevent world tension. It was based on the principle of peace.” India, he said, was the architecture of the world-famous principle of ‘Panchsheel’.

Referring to the Russian action, Polikha said; ”The aggression started at 5 o’clock in the morning. We have confirmed information that a lot of Ukrainian aerodromes, military airports, military installations were attacked by bombs and missiles.”

He said some of the attacks happened on the outskirts of the capital while some took place deep inside the territory of Ukraine. ”We’re getting the first information about casualties among our soldiers and among the civilian population,” he added.

Published : February 25, 2022

By : The Statesman

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40012735

China always respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and also understands Russia’s reasonable security concerns, as a complicated and special history lies behind the Ukraine issue, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday.

Talking with Lavrov over the phone, Wang said China calls for a complete renunciation of any Cold War mentality, as well as a security system for Europe that is balanced, effective and sustainable and achieved through talks and negotiations.

Lavrov said Russia was forced to take necessary measures as the United States and NATO went back on their promises of not expanding the organization eastward, refused to implement the Minsk II agreement and violated Resolution 2202 of the United Nations Security Council.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that Russia, an independent major country, decides and implements its diplomacy and strategies based on its own judgment and national interests.

She said that China-Russia ties are non-alliance, non-confrontation and do not target any third parties.

Hua made the remarks at a news conference after US State Department spokesman Ned Price said China should urge Russia to “back down” and “de-escalate” tensions with Ukraine, and added the growing China-Russia partnership is “concerning”.

On the US suggestion that Moscow made the move because it had gained China’s support, Hua said she believed the Russian side will be “very displeased to hear such a notion”.

China-Russia ties are fundamentally and essentially different from the “small groups” the US has been pursuing, based along ideological lines, to create confrontation and separation, Hua said. “China is not interested in, and does not intend to imitate the ‘enemy or friend’ Cold War mentality or the practice of patching up so-called ‘alliances’ and ‘small cliques’,” she added.

Hua said the US is unqualified to tell China what to do about respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China has consistently and firmly safeguarded the UN Charter’s tenets and principles, as well as the basic norms guiding international relations, Hua said.

However, in the 250 years since its foundation, the US has only refrained from waging military operations in other countries for less than 20 years, she said.

“Such a country surely has a different understanding of respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity than we do,” Hua said. “The international community knows this clearly.”

When asked whether China has provided or plans to provide any weapons to Russia, Hua said China does not take the initiative to provide weapons to others facing the risk of conflict, “unlike when the US provided a large amount of military equipment to Ukraine”.

By WANG QINGYUN

Published : February 25, 2022

By : China Daily