Russia talks about 'very bad news', China is ready to do this to Australia

NATO is optimistic about Ukraine's counter-offensive, the ASEAN summit has concluded, and Gabon and Central Africa have agreed on a new roadmap… these are some of the notable international news stories from the past 24 hours.

ASEAN-43: Laos assumes the ASEAN chairmanship from Indonesia. (Photo: Anh Son)

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

* Russia criticizes the US for supplying depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine : On September 6, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated: “This is very bad news. The use of this type of artillery shell has caused a surge in the number of cancer patients... A similar situation will certainly occur in Ukrainian territories where this type of weapon will be used...”.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin warned he would deploy depleted uranium munitions if Ukraine received such weapons from the West.

Washington has announced more than $1 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, including depleted uranium munitions.

Depleted uranium munitions are controversial due to their association with health problems such as cancer and birth defects in areas where they have been used in past conflicts, although there is no clear evidence. (AFP/Reuters)

* Ukraine begins transporting grain through Croatian ports : On September 7, in a written statement, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said: “Ukrainian grain has been exported through Croatian ports. We are very grateful for this. Although it was a previously unconventional trade route, it has now become commonplace.”

However, the official did not disclose the quantity of Ukrainian grain that had been transported through Croatian ports.

Ukraine's main grain export route typically passes through deep-sea ports on the Black Sea. Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Kyiv has sought alternative routes.

During a visit to Zagreb in late July, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that Ukraine and Croatia had agreed on the possibility of using Croatian ports on the Danube and Adriatic Sea to export Ukrainian grain. (Reuters)

* NATO optimistic about Ukraine's counteroffensive : On September 7, speaking before European Union (EU) lawmakers, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated: "Ukrainian forces are making progress, and this demonstrates the importance of our support policy, as well as our ability and willingness to continue providing support..."

He also expressed hope that Türkiye would approve Sweden's NATO membership application "as soon as possible" after the country's parliament reconvenes.

Furthermore, the NATO leader affirmed that the alliance saw no indication that the drone debris found on Romanian territory originated from a deliberate attack launched by Russia against the country, emphasizing that "we are awaiting the results of the investigation."

In recent days, Ukraine has claimed to have breached the first heavily fortified line of Russian defense in its counter-offensive. (AFP/Reuters)

* Russia will maintain contact with the US on humanitarian issues : On September 7, speaking to the press, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated: “There are contacts at the expert level concerning many different aspects, which is not uncommon. Of course, we continue to consider all issues related to humanitarian cases, visas, the operation of foreign missions and consular services for citizens.”

This is a problem that certainly needs to be addressed within the framework of the relationship between the state and the government. Of course, that's not cooperation on major issues. There's no dialogue (on key issues)."

The diplomat also stated that there are Russian-American contacts on international platforms, in the form of multilateral agreements. Ryabkov clarified: “I think this is also a fairly common practice. At least, we never refuse these contacts, we don’t avoid them.”

Russian officials insist that responsibility for resolving key issues rests entirely with Washington. (TASS)

Southeast Asia

* The 43rd ASEAN Summit concludes : On September 7th, speaking at the closing session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for transforming the Indo-Pacific into a “stage for peace and inclusiveness”.

He argued that this is an important foundation for a better future for the people of ASEAN and the world, and also reflects the spirit of Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023 with the theme "ASEAN Stature: A Hub for Growth".

The Indonesian leader emphasized that ASEAN's mission is not yet over and stated that Southeast Asia will continue to face the dynamics and complexities of global challenges.

For that reason, according to Widodo, ASEAN must work together to turn challenges into opportunities, competition into cooperation, monopoly into inclusiveness, and differences into unity. Furthermore, ASEAN must also be "the captain of its own ship."

Before handing over the ASEAN chairmanship gavel to Laos, President Jokowi called on countries in the region to continue cooperating for a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN, and to make the world a “better place for all”.

For his part, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone congratulated Indonesia on achieving outstanding results during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2023 and stated that Vientiane would continue to build upon the ASEAN cooperation achievements attained during Indonesia's chairmanship year.

The ASEAN Chair in 2024 will focus on implementing subsequent conferences, promoting connectivity, seeking cooperation opportunities, and addressing challenges in a constantly changing geopolitical landscape.

The Lao Prime Minister affirmed that ASEAN needs to continue to connect in order to narrow the gap between members, promote dialogue, strengthen internal unity, expand cooperation with partners, and resolve differences in order to maintain peace, stability, and development in the region.

Finally, the Lao head of government pledged cooperation in enhancing leadership capacity, strengthening unity to ensure peace, stability and development, promoting digital transformation and economic integration, fostering people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in combating climate change. (VNA)

* Russia warns about the Asia-Pacific : On September 6, speaking at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated: “Particular attention is being paid to the risk of militarization in the East Asian region, in the context of NATO forces and infrastructure penetrating the region, relying on deterrence mechanisms created by the West, or the promotion of the confrontational AUKUS project, thereby facilitating the deployment of a strategic-military complex with a nuclear component in the region.”

The Russian diplomat also pointed out that, during the exchange of views on important issues related to the Asia-Pacific region, "Moscow's consistent position in supporting the strengthening of an equal and indivisible security structure in the region and ensuring strong development momentum" has received attention from its partners.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated: “(Foreign Minister Lavrov also highlighted) the importance of maintaining multilateral cooperation mechanisms operating within the framework of the ASEAN coordination system, in the spirit of constructive dialogue, depoliticization, and creative cooperation based on the principles of consensus, mutual respect, and consideration of interests.”

The ministry concluded: “Russia affirms its focus on establishing a solid framework for inter-state cooperation in the region through the integration of the potential of multilateral mechanisms operating in a spirit of active cooperation and mutual development, including strengthening constructive interaction between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).” (TASS)

South Pacific

* China ready to cooperate with Australia for peace in the Asia-Pacific : On September 7, during talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the EAS in Jakarta (Indonesia), Chinese Premier Li Qiang declared that the region is a common home for both China and Australia, and therefore, Beijing is ready to cooperate with Canberra to jointly protect regional peace and stability.

Furthermore, during the meeting, the Chinese and Australian leaders pledged to strengthen bilateral exchanges and agreed on the importance of the relationship between the two countries.

According to Li Qiang, Beijing is ready to cooperate with Canberra to restart and restore bilateral exchanges in various fields. The leader also affirmed that a healthy and stable China-Australia relationship would serve the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the people of both countries.

For his part, Prime Minister Albanese said that the relationship between Australia and China is very important, and stated that Canberra is pleased with the progress in bilateral relations.

According to the leader, Australia is ready to promote dialogue and exchanges with China in a spirit of mutual respect, enhance cooperation in areas such as economics and trade, expand people-to-people exchanges and cultural exchanges, and appropriately handle differences to build a stable and constructive bilateral relationship. (Xinhua News Agency)

Central Asia

* Armenia : Azerbaijan prepares “ military provocation ” near Nagorno-Karabakh : On September 7, speaking at a cabinet meeting in Yerevan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the military and political situation in the region “has seriously deteriorated.”

Citing Azerbaijan's troop concentration on the border between the two countries and near the mountainous region controlled by separatists, Pashinya accused Baku of "showing an intention to launch new military provocations against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia."

Prime Minister Pashinyan's statement came ahead of the snap presidential election in the separatist region on September 9, and just days before a joint peacekeeping exercise between Armenian and US forces. (VNA)

Europe

* Germany arrests Syrian rebel group leader : On September 7, German prosecutors announced that two suspects, Amer A. and Basel O., were arrested in Kiel and Munich on September 6 and held in custody pending trial.

In particular, Amer A. is believed to have founded "Liwa Jund al Rahman" in 2013 in Deir ez-Zor province, Syria. The fighters under his command "continuously engage in hostile activities against the Syrian army."

In June 2013, along with other jihadist groups, this force participated in an attack on a village east of Hatlah, killing 60 Shiite residents. According to prosecutors, in 2014, Amer A. joined the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) and allowed IS to control his finances and fighters. Amer A. is accused of war crimes.

Meanwhile, Basel O. is believed to have held a “prominent military position” within Amer A.’s organization in 2013-2014. Germany says the suspect commanded combat units fighting against the Syrian army, particularly at Deir ez-Zor airport. (AFP)

Middle East-Africa

* Gabon and Central Africa agree to draft a “ roadmap ” to return to democracy : On September 6, Gabon's “transitional president, ” General Brice Oligui Nguema, and the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archange Touadera, who has been assigned as the special envoy of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), agreed to outline a “roadmap” to restore democracy following last week's coup.

In a brief address broadcast on Gabonese television on the evening of September 6, President Touadera emphasized: “ECCAS has appointed me as the supporter of the political process (in Gabon)... to draft a roadmap that will allow for a swift return to constitutional order, with the consent of the interim president (Nguema).”

On the same day, Abdou Abarry, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Central Africa, met with General Nguema in Gabon.

During the meeting, he stated that United Nations organizations are always ready to support Gabon in returning to constitutional order.

Speaking after the meeting, he stated: “Once we know the roadmap, the timetable, once the government is appointed, our various agencies will make the necessary contact and continue to support Gabon.” (AFP/Reuters)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-79-nga-noi-ve-tin-rat-xau-trung-quoc-san-sang-lam-dieu-nay-voi-australia-241244.html