Czech Republic delivers first batch of artillery shells to Ukraine, Israel prepares for war with Hezbollah, Russia considers downgrading relations with the West

The US-Japan-South Korea conduct military exercises in the East China Sea, the Czech Republic transfers the first batch of artillery shells to Ukraine, Russia strongly condemns the coup attempt in Bolivia, North Korea successfully tests a missile with multiple warheads, and China's former defense minister is expelled from the party... are some of the notable international events in the past 24 hours.

Coup in Bolivia: Military general in charge, President Luis Ace calls on people to act, appoints new commander. (Source: Getty Images)

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

Asia- Pacific

*South Korea imposes sanctions on North Korean and Russian entities: On June 27, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced that the country has imposed sanctions on five entities (including the North Korean Missile Management Agency), eight North Koreans responsible for the latest missile launch on June 26, and four Russian ships for engaging in arms and fuel trafficking as well as other activities that violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry stressed that the move was in response to the Russia-North Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed on June 19, which includes provisions on mutual defense. (Yonhap)

*Former Chinese Defense Minister expelled from the Party: Xinhua News Agency (THX) reported on June 27 that former Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe has been expelled from the Communist Party of China for serious violations of party discipline and the law.

According to THX, Mr. Wei Fenghe received money and gifts against regulations and took advantage of his position to benefit others, receiving money and valuables in return.

China's Central Military Commission opened an investigation into Wei Fenghe in September last year. (THX)

*US-Japan-South Korea joint exercise in East China Sea: The US Indo-Pacific Command confirmed that the first trilateral exercise between Japan, the US and South Korea, called Freedom Edge, began in the East China Sea on June 27 and will last three days.

A total of seven warships, including the US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, as well as fighter and patrol aircraft will take part in the three-day exercise. The Indo-Pacific Command said the exercise will practice repelling ballistic missile attacks, submarine attacks and cyber attacks.

The previous trilateral exercise between the United States, Japan and South Korea was held in April on Jeju Island, South Korea. The exercise was conducted to counter threats from North Korean submarines, including the possibility of launching ballistic missiles. (Yonhap)

*The Philippines will take tougher action against China in the South China Sea: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on June 27 that the incident that occurred on June 17 at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea was not an "armed attack" by China on Philippine ships and sailors, but that Manila needed to "do more" than just protest Beijing's actions in the waters.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Marcos stated: "We have submitted more than a hundred diplomatic notes of protest and also carried out a similar number of informal diplomatic measures. We have to do more than that."

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. (Reuters)

*North Korea successfully tested a missile carrying multiple warheads: The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on June 27 that the country had successfully tested a missile carrying multiple warheads.

According to KCNA, North Korea "successfully conducted a test of separating, controlling and guiding individual warheads on June 26," adding that "individual warheads were accurately guided to three targets."

Meanwhile, South Korea said North Korea's test of a multiple warhead missile was unsuccessful. (AFP)

*Former Myanmar President makes rare visit to China: The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar said former Myanmar President Thein Sein made an official visit to China on June 27. This is Mr. Thein Sein's first foreign trip since the Myanmar military took power 3 years ago.

Former General Thein Sein, 79, ruled Myanmar from 2011 to 2016 before handing over power to Aung San Suu Kyi after landmark elections.

Relations between the junta and Beijing - a major ally and arms supplier - frayed last year over the junta's failure to crack down on online fraud in Myanmar's border regions.

Current military regime head Min Aung Hlaing has not visited China since the 2021 coup.

Myanmar is a key part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. But progress in Myanmar has been hampered by conflict since the military coup. (THX)

Europe

*Czech delivers first batch of artillery shells to Ukraine: On June 27, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced that the first batch of artillery shells purchased on his country's initiative had been delivered to Ukraine. Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova confirmed the quantity was 50,000 shells.

Speaking at a press conference in Prague, Prime Minister Fiala said the Czech Republic has contributed more than $37 million to the initiative to supply artillery shells to Ukraine. This money was allocated by the Czech Republic to buy artillery shells from the country's STV Group company.

This is the first batch of 180,000 shells purchased with German funding. So far, 18 countries have joined the Czech initiative to buy artillery shells for Ukraine, of which 15 have pledged funding.

The Czech Defense Minister stressed that the goal is to provide 500,000 artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of this year and that this goal has now been financially secured. (Reuters)

*Russia considers downgrading diplomatic relations with the West: The Kremlin said on June 27 that Russia is considering the possibility of downgrading diplomatic relations with the West due to deeper intervention by the US and its allies in the war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "the issue of downgrading diplomatic relations is a standard practice for countries facing unfriendly or hostile manifestations."

According to Mr. Peskov, due to the West's increasing involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, Russia "cannot help but consider a range of different options to respond to such hostile intervention by the West in the Ukrainian crisis." Mr. Peskov also said that no decision has been made on this issue and that Russia is considering different ways to respond to the West. (Sputnikews)

*Russia sends missile cruiser Varyag to conduct exercises in the Mediterranean: TASS news agency on June 27 quoted the Russian Navy Command as saying that the Russian Navy's missile cruiser Varyag conducted exercises in the Mediterranean.

The Russian Navy Command stressed that the drills focused on repelling a drone attack at sea and also included simulated engagements with enemy warships and submarines. (Reuters)

*Ukraine establishes force using unmanned aircraft: On June 26, the announcement of the General Staff of the Ukrainian army said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree implementing the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the establishment of a new force in charge of drone operations.

According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army, the new unit, the Unmanned Systems Force, will be a branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Previously, on June 25, the National Security and Defense Council supported the Government's proposal to establish the Unmanned Systems Force, affirming that this move is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Ukrainian army in the context of the conflict with Russia.

This year, the country plans to produce between 1 million and 2 million first-person view (FPV) drones, as well as about 10,000 medium-range attack drones and more than 1,000 long-range attack drones, according to Ukrainian officials. (AFP)

Middle East-Africa

*Lebanon and Iran do not want direct confrontation with Israel: Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudkov said on June 27 that Lebanon and Iran support avoiding escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and preventing a direct conflict with Israel.

“Neither Iran nor Lebanon nor any other country in the Middle East wants to continue or expand the scope of the conflict... Both Tehran and Beirut are in favor of preventing a direct conflict with Israel,” the Russian ambassador told Rossiya-24 television channel. He stressed that countries in the region are making maximum diplomatic and political efforts to help end the conflict in the Gaza Strip and prevent it from escalating.

Earlier, the Israeli press reported that the Israeli army had approved a battle plan for an attack on Lebanon in mid-June. Accordingly, after the campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army is expected to simultaneously attack the Hezbollah group in Lebanon. Hezbollah, like Hamas, opposes Israel and regularly shells its territory from the north. (Reuters)

*Israel prepares for war with Hezbollah: During a visit to Washington, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that Israel does not want war with the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, but is preparing for all eventualities.

"We don't want war, but Hezbollah is playing a dangerous game and we will not tolerate it," Gallant was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on June 18 that it had approved a combat plan for an attack on Lebanon. Later, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz threatened to destroy Hezbollah and cause serious damage to Lebanon in the event of a full-scale war, adding that Israel was about to make a decision to change the rules on the northern front.

In contrast, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrullah said the movement could advance into northern Israel in the event of increased tensions. (Al Jazeera)

America-Latin America

*Russia-India technology cooperation worries the US: US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on June 26 that the US is “somewhat concerned” about military and technology agreements between India and Russia.

India and Russia have a century-old partnership in the military and technological spheres. This relationship is built on historical ties, shared strategic interests and a series of high-level agreements.

Given the current situation, there is much information that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Russia in early July to hold talks with host country President Vladimir Putin. (AFP)

*Coup in Bolivia, Russia and many countries condemn: The Russian Foreign Ministry on June 27 announced that Moscow strongly condemns the attempted military coup in Bolivia, and warns against any foreign sabotage interference in the internal affairs of Bolivia and other countries.

A day earlier, local media reported a military presence at Murillo Square in the center of Bolivia's capital La Paz, where government buildings are located.

The country's President Luis Arce has called for respect for democracy and called the events in La Paz a coup. The Bolivian leader also appointed new heads of the Bolivian army, air force and navy in the wake of the attempted coup by former Commander-in-Chief Juan Jose Zuniga. (AFP)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-276-czech-chuyen-lo-dan-phao-dau-tien-cho-ukraine-israel-chuan-bi-chien-tranh-voi-hezbollah-nga-xem-xet-ha-cap-quan-he-voi-phuong-tay-276619.html