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| After 8 years, US warships prepare to dock in Cambodia. (Source: US Navy) |
The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.
Asia- Pacific
*Russia-China consultations on medium and short-range missiles: Russia and China have shared views on medium and shorter-range missiles. This was discussed during the Russia-China consultations on missile defense and aspects related to strategic stability that took place in Beijing.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on December 13 that the consultations took place on December 11, during which “the two sides confirmed their commitment to strengthening dialogue and coordination on these strategic stability factors.” (Sputnik)
*US Navy ship visits Cambodia after 8 years: Cambodia's Ministry of Defense announced on December 13 that a US warship will dock in the country next week, marking the first time a US military ship has visited China's closest ally in the region in eight years.
Cambodia's defense ministry said 27 US naval ships have visited the country since 2007, but next week's five-day visit will be the first time a US ship has docked in eight years.
In a statement, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense said the USS Savannah's visit to the southern port city of Sihanoukville was aimed at "consolidating and expanding friendship" and "promoting bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and the United States." (AFP)
*New Zealand and Thailand move towards strategic partnership: New Zealand and Thai officials on December 13 approved a roadmap towards a strategic partnership to ensure negotiations stay on track to upgrade bilateral relations by 2026.
After meeting with his Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa in Auckland, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the two countries had set an ambitious target timetable to upgrade their relationship to a “strategic partnership”.
The New Zealand Foreign Minister added that Wellington and Bangkok have an important partnership, and over the next 18 months, the two sides will work to further deepen bilateral cooperation in many areas. (THX)
Europe
*Mr. Francois Bayrou was appointed as the new Prime Minister of France: According to a press release from the Elysee Palace on December 13, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Mr. Francois Bayrou as the new Prime Minister of the country.
The task of the new 73-year-old Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is very heavy, as he must lead the country out of the second major political crisis in just the past 6 months.
The new French prime minister is expected to announce his list of ministers in the coming days. Francois Bayrou is the fourth person to take the hot seat in 2024. (AFP)
*Ukraine spends another $26 million to buy UAVs for the military: On December 13, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal announced that the country's Defense Ministry has allocated 1.1 billion hryvnia ($26.3 million) to brigades to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and meet other essential needs.
The funding, which was directed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, is intended to increase the brigades’ resources for purchasing additional UAVs. Since the beginning of the year, the Ukrainian government has spent 229 billion hryvnia ($5.48 billion) on military equipment, weapons, ammunition, personal protective equipment and food for the security and defense forces.
On the same day, a US delegation arrived in the capital Kiev amid Russia's large-scale missile attack. US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink announced the event on social network X. (TASS/Ukrinform)
*Russia attacks F-16 pilot training base in Ukraine: The Russian military has launched a large-scale missile attack on many important military targets in Ukraine, including the F-16 pilot training base in Kiev. According to information from the TASS news agency, the attack used more than 120 missiles of various types, including the Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
In addition, the Russian military also targeted targets in Boryspil and Pereyaslavl. In Boryspil, facilities for the production of drones and helicopter repair facilities were attacked. Meanwhile, in Pereyaslavl, enterprises specializing in the repair of armored fighting vehicles and heavy equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were significantly damaged. (TASS)
*Ukraine is not ready to negotiate peace with Russia: Chief of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak affirmed that Kiev is not ready to negotiate with Russia because the country lacks weapons, security guarantees and has not achieved the desired international status.
Earlier, during a meeting with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine wanted to end the war and needed to make efforts to make his country stronger and force the Kremlin to act towards peace.
In recent public statements, Mr. Zelensky has also asserted that negotiations can take place even if Russia still holds territory it captured in the conflict. (Reuters)
Middle East – Africa
*US Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes surprise visit to Iraq: On December 13, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise visit to Iraq, meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
The visit comes as Mr. Blinken seeks to coordinate a regional approach to Syria, especially after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
According to an AFP reporter accompanying the delegation, Mr. Blinken flew from the Turkish capital Ankara to Baghdad and began talks with the Iraqi Prime Minister immediately after arriving. (AFP)
*Turkey and Qatar negotiate with opposition leaders in Syria: Regional sources reported on December 12 that Turkish Intelligence Director Ibrahim Kalin and head of Qatar's State Security Agency Khalfan bin Ali bin Khalfan Al-Batty Al-Kaabi visited Syria to negotiate with opposition leaders on the future of this Middle Eastern country.
Syria's interim Information Ministry confirmed that Mr. Kalin and Mr. Khalfan al-Kaabi had arrived in the capital Damascus to meet with Syrian opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian interim Prime Minister Mohammad al-Bashir.
On the same day, December 12, the Turkish Foreign Ministry denied information from the Syrian Foreign Ministry that Minister Hakan Fidan was also present in the negotiating delegation to Syria, affirming that Mr. Fidan is still in Turkey. (Al Jazeera)
*Turkey appoints interim charge d'affaires in Syria: The semi-official Anadolu news agency reported on December 12 that Turkey has appointed an interim charge d'affaires in Syria.
According to the statement, Turkish Ambassador to Mauritania, Burhan Koroglu, has been appointed as acting charge d'affaires at the Turkish Embassy in Syria.
Turkey closed its embassy in the capital Damascus in 2012, citing escalating violence and calling on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to step down amid the country's civil war that began in 2011. (Al Jazeera)
*Russia conducts dialogue with Syria's HTS group: On December 12, Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, special representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and Africa, Mr. Mikhail Bogdanov, saying that Russia has established direct contacts with the political committee of the Syrian Islamic armed group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
“Contacts have been established with the political committee (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), which is currently working in one of the hotels in Damascus,” Bogdanov said. Deputy Minister Bogdanov also said that Moscow aims to maintain its military bases in Syria to continue “fighting international terrorism” in the country. (Interfax/Sputniknews)
America – Latin America
*US-China extend scientific cooperation agreement: Washington and Beijing on December 13 extended their scientific and technological cooperation agreement for another five years, amid intensifying economic and political competition between the two countries. The decision was made despite criticism from opponents, including the US Republican Party, who said the agreement was giving an advantage to China.
The agreement has been in place since 1979 and is renewed every five years. However, diplomatic relations between the two countries hit a record low last year, due to tensions over a Chinese spy balloon shot down over US airspace, as well as issues related to Taiwan (China) and US military aid to the island. (AFP)
*US bans entry for many Georgian officials: The US State Department announced that the country has blocked visas of about 20 people accused of undermining democracy in Georgia, including current ministers and lawmakers.
The Black Sea country has been in turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in parliamentary elections in October, and the government decided to suspend accession talks with the European Union (EU) last month.
In a statement on December 12, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller affirmed: "Today's action will affect approximately 20 individuals, including ministers and members of parliament, law enforcement and security officials, as well as ordinary citizens." (AFP)
*Trump considers military action against Iran's nuclear program: The Wall Street Journal reported that US President-elect Donald Trump is considering options to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including the possibility of carrying out preventive airstrikes.
According to the newspaper's sources, Mr. Trump's transition team is building a new "maximum pressure" strategy against Tehran, including military steps and increased financial sanctions.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials say the US president-elect should abandon his intention to exert maximum pressure on Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that otherwise, Washington would face “maximum resistance” from the Islamic State. (TASS)
*US announces $500 million military aid package for Ukraine: According to the announcement on December 12, the US will provide a new $500 million military aid package to Ukraine, in the context that Washington is rushing to increase support for Kiev before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“The United States is prepared to provide a significant additional package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against ongoing Russian attacks,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, revealing that the aid would be drawn from US military reserves. (AFP)
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