Cambodia has a new Prime Minister, Russian oil pipeline leaks in Poland

Russia and Ukraine comment on the peace conference; ECOWAS is not ready for military intervention in Niger… these are some of the notable international news stories of the past 24 hours.

Hun Manet will hold the position of leader of Cambodia for the next five years. (Source: Reuters)

The World & Vietnam newspaper highlights some of the day's most prominent international news.

* Russia attacks Ukrainian air bases: On August 6, the country's Ministry of Defense announced that Russian forces had attacked Ukrainian air bases in the Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and Zaporizhzhia provinces.

The statement said: “Last night, the Russian Armed Forces (VS RF) attacked… air bases of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (VSU) around the settlements of Starokostiantinov in Khmelnytskyi province and Dubno in Rivne province.” The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the attack was successful and that “all targets were hit.” These are bases for Ukrainian Su-24M bombers equipped with Storm Shadow tactical cruise missiles. (TASS)

* Russian Army advances towards Zaporizhzhia : On August 7th, the Telegram page “WarGonzo” reported that in the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Russian Armed Forces (VAS RF) achieved significant success, pushing back the Russian Army (VSU) by more than 1.5 km northeast of the village of Rabotino. Specifically, Russian forces intensified artillery shelling of VSU positions at the settlements of Stepnogorsk, Pyatikhatki, Maly Shcherbaki, and Shcherbaki. This advance by the VS RF indicates their intention to secure strategic advantage and the ability to conduct more intense operations against the VSU in the area. The previous day, the VSU attempted to attack the strategic village of Urozhainoye, but failed. (VNA)

* Chonhar Bridge continues to be hit by missiles: On August 6th, Sergei Aksyonov, a Russian-appointed official in Crimea, stated that the Chonhar bridge connecting to Crimea had been damaged by a Ukrainian missile attack that same day. He said: “The enemy fired missiles at an area of ​​the Chonhar bridge in northern Crimea. One missile struck the bridge, although part of it was hit by anti-aircraft fire.” According to the official, the road surface on the bridge suffered minor damage, but traffic diversion and repairs have immediately begun.

For his part, Vladimir Saldo, the acting governor of Kherson province appointed by Russia, suggested that the missile that attacked the bridge could be a British-French manufactured Storm Shadow, but offered no further evidence. He said: “Today, the VSU fired missiles across the Tonky Strait, connecting the city of Henichesk and Cape Arabast. They launched 12 missiles, but the air defense system shot down 9 of them.”

Meanwhile, the VSU's Strategic Information Service stressed that the incident damaged the surface of the bridge, a crucial route connecting Crimea and the part of Ukraine controlled by the Russian military. The unit reported that one person sustained minor injuries and damage to a gas pipeline near the Henichesk Bridge. A school in the area was also damaged. Earlier in June and July, Ukraine had also launched several attacks on the Chonhar Bridge. (Reuters)

* Russia and Ukraine have contrasting assessments of the peace conference: On August 6th, commenting on the recent Ukrainian peace conference in Saudi Arabia, the Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian President, Andriy Yermak, shared: "We had effective consultations on the main principles for building a just and lasting peace."

On the same day, Russian state media quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying that the Ukraine peace conference "represents a Western plot to continue futile, negative attempts" to garner support from the Southern Hemisphere for President Volodymyr Zelensky's position.

For its part, in a written statement dated August 7, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the international talks in Saudi Arabia helped to “strengthen international consensus.” Accordingly, China’s Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, “had extensive contact and exchanges with all parties on a political solution to the Ukraine crisis… listening to the opinions and suggestions of all parties, and further strengthening international consensus.”

From August 5-6, more than 40 countries, including China, India, the United States, and European nations, participated in discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. However, the conference concluded without the adoption of any joint statement. (Reuters)

Southeast Asia

* “ ASEAN must become an anchor of world peace ”: On August 8th, speaking at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Forum 2023 (ASEAN IIDC), Indonesian President Joko Widodo affirmed: “The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must become an anchor of world peace amidst many uncertainties.” Jakarta believes that the ASEAN community will become a catalyst for world peace, showing care and sharing. At the same time, it is not only a focal point of growth, but also a focal point of harmony, maintaining regional stability and world peace.

He noted that, according to the 2023 World Peace Index, global conflicts are on the rise. In 2009, 58 countries were involved in conflicts, but now that number has risen to 91. The number of deaths due to global conflicts has increased to 238,000, with economic losses rising by 17% to US$17.5 trillion, equivalent to 13% of global GDP. Therefore, he hoped that the participants in IIDC 2023 would commit to making ASEAN a model of tolerance and solidarity, a pillar for world peace.

President Joko Widodo stated: “ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, have successfully maintained a strong tradition of tolerance among cultural and religious diversity. Indonesia can continue to maintain harmony and manage diversity in ethnicity, culture, religion, and beliefs.”

ASEAN IIDC 2023 is an event initiated by the Indonesian Islamic Council (NU), with support from Jakarta through the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming to strengthen the network of influential figures and religious leaders of member states, promote diverse cultural and religious values ​​in the region, as well as a harmonious and inclusive society, and contribute to building world peace. (VNA)

Hun Manet officially becomes Prime Minister of Cambodia: On August 7, in a royal decree, King Norodom Sihamoni "appointed Hun Manet as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the 7th term of the National Assembly." Thus, Hun Manet will succeed his father, Prime Minister Hun Sen, a veteran politician who has ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades. (AFP)

* Thailand Elections: Pheu Thai Gains New Ally : On August 7th, Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, accepted an invitation from the Pheu Thai Party. Bhumjaithai will form an alliance with Pheu Thai under three conditions: No amendments to Article 112 of the Penal Code (or "Lewd Law"), no alliance with the MFP (Mass Frontier Party), and no formation of a minority government.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew stated: “Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai will form a government with support from several other parties.”

Pheu Thai, the second-place party in the general election on May 14, is currently working to form a new government in Thailand. Previously, the MFP party, despite winning the most votes in the House of Representatives, failed to secure a chance for its leader, politician Pita Limjaroenrat, to win the prime ministerial vote in Parliament. (Bangkok Post)

* Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over water cannon attack in South China Sea : On August 7, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that he had summoned the Chinese ambassador after the Chinese coast guard blocked and used water cannons against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. He stated: “Today, our Foreign Minister summoned Ambassador Huang Xilian and gave him documents including images and videos of what happened. We are awaiting their response.” At the same time, President Marcos Jr. emphasized that the Philippines continues to assert its sovereignty and territorial rights despite the challenges in the South China Sea.

In related news, on August 7, the Chinese coast guard called on the Southeast Asian nation to remove a grounded warship from Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Two days earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escorted supply ships to Philippine troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The PCG accused the Chinese coast guard of using water cannons against the Philippine vessels, deeming the action "illegal" and "dangerous." (AFP/Reuters)

Northeast Asia

* South Korea: Police release suspect in stabbing attack : On August 7th, the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency (South Korea) released the identity of the suspect in last week's car-and-knife attack that resulted in casualties at a store in Seongnam District, south of Seoul. The suspect was identified as Choi Won-jong, 22 years old. On August 3rd, the suspect drove his car into several people on the sidewalk and attacked others with a knife at a department store, killing one person and injuring 13 others. Two days later, the suspect was arrested.

Previously, a relevant expert committee determined that the case met the criteria for releasing this information, including the nature of the act, the harm caused, sufficient evidence, and the public's right to be informed. (Yonhap)

Europe

* EU-China seek to strengthen bilateral relations : On August 7, European Union (EU) High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell announced that he had a telephone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Writing on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he stated: “We discussed the upcoming Strategic Dialogue in Beijing in preparation for the EU-China Summit.” Borrell said the two sides exchanged views on the coup in Niger and the Ukraine peace conference in Saudi Arabia.

For his part, Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and the EU to strengthen institutional dialogue to create new and stronger momentum for the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. (Reuters)

* Poland detects oil pipeline leak from Russia : On August 6th, the Polish pipeline operator PERN announced that on the evening of August 5th, they detected an oil leak from the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia. The leak was discovered near Chodecz, in central Poland, on the western branch leading to Germany. Oil pumping through this branch was immediately halted.

According to PERN, the second branch of the Druzhba pipeline through Poland remains operational and the leak does not threaten the health of local residents. However, firefighters and emergency services have been deployed to the scene and the cause of the leak is under investigation. PERN expects to resume pumping oil through the leaking pipeline on the morning of August 8th after the problem is resolved.

Druzhba is one of the world's longest oil pipelines, commissioned in 1964 and currently stretching 5,500 km. Druzhba transports Russian Ural crude oil to refineries in Poland, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. (VNA)

* Turkish newspaper reports : President Erdogan and his Russian counterpart will discuss Ukraine: On August 7th, Hurriyet (Turkey), citing sources, reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Ankara in the last week of the month. During the visit, he will meet with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The agenda for the two leaders will include issues related to the timing of the resumption of the grain agreement, bilateral relations, relations between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the restoration of diplomatic contact between Turkey and Syria. Some Russian experts note that the resumption of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will be discussed at the meeting.

Notably, according to a source from the Turkish President's office, Erdogan will announce a proposal for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks on Ukraine during his meeting with Putin: “The (Turkish) President offered to mediate in resolving the conflict.” The source noted that Erdogan is “the only leader in the world” currently maintaining good relations and enjoying the trust of both President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, making him a particularly important figure in the mediating role. (Hurriyet)

Middle East-Africa

* US-Russia take new action against Iran: On August 7, the US Navy announced the deployment of more than 3,000 US troops who entered the Red Sea on August 6 after transiting the Suez Canal in a pre-announced deployment. The statement added that these US troops arrived aboard the warships USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall, providing “greater maritime capability and flexibility” for the V Fleet.

"These units significantly add to our operational capabilities and flexibility as we work... to deter destabilizing activity and de-escalate tensions in the region from Iran," said Tim Hawkins, spokesman for the Fifth Fleet.

Meanwhile, speaking to the Russian news agency TASS , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said he would visit Tehran on August 7-8: “I will be there (in Tehran) on Monday and Tuesday. I will meet with the Iranian Foreign Ministry leadership. The topics will include specific areas: of course, the situation regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) concerning Iran’s nuclear program, the expanded BRICS… I will attend a seminar organized by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on the topic of BRICS-Iran…”

The Russian diplomat emphasized that interaction between the two countries in international forums is an "important topic," whether it's about "non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, arms control, the peaceful use of space, etc." (AFP/TASS)

* Niger Coup: Airspace Closed, ECOWAS Needs More Time? On August 6th, the deadline for the ultimatum from the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) regarding potential armed intervention, nearly 30,000 supporters of the military coup in Niger gathered at the Seini Kountché Stadium in the capital, Niamey. A delegation of members of the National Defense Council (CNSP), the force currently leading Niger, arrived at the stadium. General Mohamed Toumba, the leader of the CNSP, denounced those “hiding in the shadows” and those “conspiring to overthrow… Niger’s path forward.”

On the same day, Niger's military government announced the closure of the West African nation's airspace from August 6 until further notice.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal quoted a senior commander from one of the ECOWAS member states as saying that the military of member countries needs more time to prepare before conducting military intervention in Niger. The commander said: “Right now, we need to strengthen our units before engaging in such a military action. The success of any military action depends on good preparation.” He added that ECOWAS will continue to pressure the coup forces in Niger through economic and financial sanctions, and will seek support for the trade embargo from other international organizations, such as the African Union (AU).

For its part, on August 7th, the Italian newspaper La Stampa quoted Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani as saying that ECOWAS should extend the "ultimatum" to reinstate the overthrown Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. The official stated: "The only way is through diplomacy. I hope that ECOWAS's ultimatum, which expired at midnight last night (August 6th), will be extended today."

On the same day, the Chinese Embassy in Niger said its citizens should leave for a third country or return home for temporary asylum if there is no reason to stay. In a statement on its website, the diplomatic mission advised citizens to limit travel to Niger unless absolutely necessary. (Reuters/Sputnik)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-78-campuchia-co-thu-tuong-moi-duong-ong-dau-nga-ro-ri-o-ba-lan-237523.html