Russia deploys strategic nuclear weapons to Belarus, Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief risks losing his job, US extends trade embargo on Cuba

Ukraine sanctions a series of individuals and organizations, the US sanctions 6 entities supporting North Korea and Russia, extends trade embargo on Cuba, Russia sets conditions for resolving the Ukraine conflict with the West... are some of the notable international events in the past 24 hours.

The Wall Street Journal quoted senior US officials as saying that the Hamas Islamist movement and Israel are unlikely to sign a ceasefire agreement before the end of US President Joe Biden's term. (Source: Sky News)

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

Europe

*Russia deploys strategic nuclear weapons to Belarus, deterring the West and Ukraine: The Russian government on September 20 warned the West and Ukraine of “catastrophic consequences” if they pursue a “provocative scenario” against Belarus.

Speaking to reporters, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed concern about the increasingly “provocative” activities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the Belarusian border. In addition, Ms. Zakharova did not rule out the risk of escalating the conflict in the region.

A Russian Foreign Ministry representative noted that Moscow has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. (Reuters)

*Estonia begins production of air defense systems in Ukraine: Bloomberg news agency reported on September 19 that Estonia's new defense company - Frankenburg Technologies has just announced the start of production of low-cost air defense missile systems in Ukraine.

The system is designed primarily to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and was developed by leading experts in Estonian technology and defense.

With reasonable cost, this air defense system promises to be an effective solution for Ukraine in the fight against Russian UAV attacks. (AFP)

*Russia sets conditions for resolving Ukraine conflict with the West: The Russian government on September 20 announced that the West should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine and funding “terrorist activities” if it wants to send a signal that these countries are serious about finding a solution to end the war.

Speaking to reporters, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not related to efforts to resolve the conflict.

On September 18, President Zelensky announced that Ukraine had completed preparations for a “Victory Plan” that he plans to discuss with his counterpart Joe Biden when he visits the United States next week. (Reuters)

*Germany transfers more than 20 Leopard tanks and many weapons to Ukraine: The German government announced on September 19 that it had transferred 22 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 61,000 155 mm ammunition, 3 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, spare parts and many other equipment in the latest military aid transfer to Ukraine.

The delivery also includes five Bandvagn 206 all-terrain vehicles, two TRML-4D air surveillance radars and a Warthog special armored vehicle, as well as 112 vehicles from military and industrial stocks.

So far, Ukraine has received 30 Vector unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 20 Heidrun RQ-35 UAVs, 12 Songbird UAVs, 6 Hornet XR UAVs and 20 naval UAVs. (AFP)

*Russia continues to warn the US about the risk of further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine: Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on September 20 as saying that the US should consider Moscow's warning about the risk of further escalation surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.

Commenting on the possibility of a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York (USA), Mr. Ryabkov emphasized that there will be no meeting because the two sides "have nothing to talk about". (RIA Novosti)

*Ukraine sanctions a series of individuals and organizations: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on September 19 signed a decree imposing sanctions on 48 individuals and organizations, including many companies and individuals from Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran.

The sanctions target a range of sectors, including transport, manufacturing, construction and investment. They will last for 10 years and include asset freezes, restrictions on economic activity and bans on foreign vessels and aircraft entering Ukraine.

The sanctions were introduced in response to actions that Ukraine considers a threat to its national security. They also further strain relations between Ukraine and countries whose citizens and organizations are sanctioned. (Sputniknews)

*Moldova charges former chief of general staff with treason: Moldova's prosecutor's office has charged former chief of the general staff of the armed forces Igor Gorgan with treason. Mr. Gorgan is suspected of collaborating with Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) since the mid-2000s.

The charges are the result of a lengthy investigation, with documents confirming Mr Gorgan’s links to Russian intelligence. In the summer of 2023, he was suspected of passing classified material to Russia for years.

According to the investigation, since the 2000s, Mr. Gorgan has been in regular contact with Russian intelligence, providing information on the activities of the Moldovan Armed Forces and its allies.

Mr. Gorgan served as Chief of the General Staff of the Moldovan Armed Forces until the end of 2021. He stepped down after President Maia Sandu took office. (AFP)

*Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Faces Dismissal: The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU), General Alexander Syrsky, is facing the risk of losing his position. According to the Ukrainian Telegram channel "Legitimny", the Chief of the Presidential Administration Andrei Ermak warned General Syrsky to strictly follow all orders from President Zelensky and Ermak, otherwise he will have to resign.

Ermak asked General Syrsky to create a good information base during Zelensky's visit to the US, by switching to the offensive in the direction of Pokrovsk or Kursk. The President's Office did not care about the means used to carry out this task.

"It is best for General Syrsky to go on the offensive now or at least hold on to what he has. Otherwise, he will become the scapegoat for all the troubles," the Telegram channel stressed. (AFP)

*Ukraine conflict could end by 2025: On September 19, RBC-Ukraine newspaper quoted sources saying that the conflict in Ukraine could end before spring 2025.

According to RBC-Ukraine , both Ukraine and Western countries believe that the fighting could end next year. However, different scenarios are still being discussed.

Several sources confirmed that the US representative told the Ukrainian leadership about the need to prepare for presidential elections in 2025. Holding elections is directly related to lifting martial law, which means ending hostilities.

Sources stressed that both Kiev and Washington agree that holding elections amid the ongoing conflict is impossible. Therefore, holding elections would require a ceasefire, an actual cessation of hostilities, or the signing of official documents marking the end of the conflict. (RBC)

Asia-Pacific

*Beijing criticizes the US for violating principles on the Taiwan issue: Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said on September 20 that the US's arms sale to Taiwan (China) seriously violated the "One China Principle" and the terms of the joint communique between China and the US.

Mr. Zhang said that China has lodged solemn representations with the United States on this issue. On September 18, China announced sanctions against nine companies with ties to the U.S. military over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan (China). (Reuters)

*South Korea calls on North Korea to release citizens: On September 20, South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho called on North Korea to "immediately and unconditionally" release six detained South Korean citizens.

These include three missionaries and three former North Korean defectors who were detained between 2013 and 2016.

South Korea also pledged to make efforts to strengthen cooperation with the international community to resolve the issue of abducted, detained, and prisoner-of-war (POW) Koreans.

In addition to the six detained South Koreans, 516 South Koreans have yet to return home out of about 3,835 people abducted by North Korea after the 1950-1953 Korean War. (Yonhap)

*Cambodian government transfers personnel: On September 20, the Cambodian National Assembly approved a decision to transfer personnel in Prime Minister Hun Manet's cabinet, with two ministers swapping positions.

At the request of Prime Minister Hun Manet, the Cambodian National Assembly approved the appointment of Tourism Minister Sok Soken as Minister of Inspection, while Inspection Minister Huot Hak was appointed as Minister of Tourism.

Speaking before the vote, Mr. Hun Manet said that the decision to swap personnel this time was made to meet "the essential need to promote more effective implementation of the government's political platform during the 7th National Assembly term and the Pentagon Strategy Phase I." The cabinet led by Prime Minister Hun Manet was formed on August 22, 2023 for a 5-year term. (Khmer Times)

*Korea, US reaffirm strategic partnership: During a meeting with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg at the South Korean National Assembly, leader of the People's Power Party (PPP) Han Don-hoon reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Seoul-Washington strategic partnership.

The two sides stressed that the 71-year alliance between South Korea and the United States is based on shared values ​​such as democracy and freedom.

Ambassador Goldberg emphasized that the US-ROK military alliance has evolved into a comprehensive global partnership, spanning trade, education and diplomacy.

Both countries pledged to promote and protect democratic values, freedom and human rights globally. (Yonhap)

*Australia seizes 12 devices in Russia-related spy case: ABC TV channel on September 20 quoted a court source confirming that Australian authorities had seized 12 devices and obtained a "large amount" of evidence in the investigation of a couple with Russian passports accused of spying for Moscow.

In July, Australian law enforcement officers arrested the couple on charges of spying for Russia. An Australian court later identified the individuals as Kira Koroleva and Igor Korolev. According to the federal police, Kira, who had served in the Australian military, took advantage of her vacation to make a “secret trip” to Russia. There, Kira allegedly asked her husband, who was still in Australia, to access her official work account and send certain information.

The Russian Embassy in Australia has criticized the widespread publication of information about the arrest of Russian citizens in Australia on espionage charges as a way to fuel a new wave of anti-Moscow sentiment. (Sputniknews)

*China and Japan reach consensus on discharging wastewater from Fukushima: China's state broadcaster CCTV reported on September 20 that China and Japan reached a consensus in August on discharging treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

According to CCTV , the two sides agreed that Japan would establish a long-term international monitoring agreement and allow relevant parties to conduct independent sampling and monitoring.

China also stressed during the talks that independent sampling should be conducted before “gradually” resuming any imports of Japanese seafood products, the source said. (Reuters)

Middle East-Africa

*US newspaper assesses the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza: The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoted senior US officials as saying that the Hamas Islamic movement and Israel are unlikely to sign a ceasefire agreement before the end of US President Joe Biden's term.

"There is no deal imminent. I'm not sure when the two sides will reach an agreement," a US official stressed.

According to the newspaper, the parties are "in a waiting mode" until after the upcoming US presidential election. The source also said that, first, negotiators could not agree on the percentage of Palestinian prisoners that Israel would have to release in order for Hamas to free an Israeli hostage. (TASS)

*UN Secretary-General condemns terrorist attack in Mali: On September 19, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Mali's capital Bamako on September 17.

Earlier, a gendarmerie compound in Bamako was attacked. Mali's Ministry of Security and Civil Protection confirmed the situation was under control, but did not disclose the number of casualties. Media reported that more than 70 people were killed and more than 200 injured in the attack. (Al Jazeera)

*Turkey seeks to reconcile Somalia and Ethiopia: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country will hold separate discussions with Somalia and Ethiopia to ease tensions between the two sides ahead of a new round of talks.

Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa deteriorated after Ethiopia signed a maritime agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January 2024. The agreement gives Ethiopia access to the sea via Somaliland, but Somalia sees this as an infringement of its sovereignty.

Turkey mediated two rounds of talks in July and August. The third round scheduled for September 17 was postponed so Ankara could meet the two sides privately first. Foreign Minister Fidan will negotiate directly to bridge the gap between the two countries and hopes they will reach an agreement. (Al Jazeera)

*US asks Hezbollah to stop attacks to reduce tensions with Israel: On September 19, the US announced that Hezbollah forces need to stop attacks against Israel if they want to reduce tensions in the region.

"If Mr. Nasrallah (Hezbollah leader) stops the terrorist attacks, we will pressure Israel to maintain calm. But he has not done so," said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. "As long as Hezbollah continues to attack across the border, Israel will take military action in self-defense like any other country."

Earlier, Mr Nasrallah vowed to continue fighting Israel "until the invasion of Gaza ends", following the explosion of thousands of communications equipment believed to have been carried out by Israel. (AFP)

America - Latin America

*Venezuela joins IAEA Board of Governors: Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on September 19 that Venezuela has been appointed as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2024-2026 term.

On his Telegram page, Mr. Gil said the above appointment took place at the 68th Session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna (Austria). Mr. Gil emphasized Venezuela's commitment to promoting the use of nuclear technology and energy for peace and development.

In a statement, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry noted that the country has been a candidate for the above position since 2022 and Caracas has been working to win one of the three regional seats on the IAEA Board of Governors. In addition to Venezuela, Argentina and Colombia also represent Latin America and the Caribbean in this term. (THX)

*Panama seeks to repatriate illegal Chinese immigrants: On September 19, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said the country is seeking to reach an agreement with China to repatriate Chinese citizens who illegally migrated through the Darién forest.

According to official figures, the number of Chinese people crossing the Darién forest increased from 296 people in 2010-2019 to more than 12,000 people in the first months of 2024.

The Darién Forest, located on the Panama-Colombia border, has become a corridor for migrants from South America to the United States. Panamanian authorities have recorded an increase in Asian migrants, mainly Chinese, transiting the country on their way to the United States. (AP)

*US sanctions 6 entities supporting North Korea and Russia: On September 19, the US announced sanctions against 5 entities and 1 individual in Russia and a Russian-occupied region of Georgia. The sanctions were based on allegations that these entities participated in a scheme to help Pyongyang and Moscow evade sanctions.

According to the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, these individuals helped establish an illegal payment mechanism between North Korea and Russia.

The move is part of Washington's efforts to block any funding for Pyongyang's weapons program and support for Russia's war in Ukraine. (Yonhap)

*US extends trade embargo on Cuba: The US government has decided to extend for another year (until September 14, 2025) the application of the Trade Action Act (TWEA) to Cuba. This is one of the bases of the embargo imposed on Cuba since 1962.

President Joe Biden stressed that this extension serves "US national interests". He is the 12th US head of state to maintain this policy with the neighboring island nation.

TWEA allows the US President to impose economic restrictions on a country considered a hostile country, and to impose economic sanctions in times of war or other national emergencies. Cuba is the only country currently sanctioned by the US under this act.

Since 1992, Cuba has submitted draft resolutions to the UN demanding the embargo be lifted, and has received support from a majority of member states. Official estimates show that the embargo has cost Cuba more than $164 billion over the past six decades. (AFP)

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