A central city in Ukraine was hit by Russian missiles, Kiev 'watched' Canberra's F-18 fighter jets... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.
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| Ukraine asks Australia to provide information on Canberra's retired F-18 fighter jets. (Source: Military.com) |
The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.
Russia-Ukraine
* Russia releases video of German and US equipment seized in Ukraine : On June 13, the Russian Defense Ministry released video of what Moscow said were two German-made Leopard tanks and two US-made Bradley fighting vehicles captured by Russian forces after clashes with Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia.
In a brief statement accompanying the video posted on Telegram , the Russian Defense Ministry called the captured military equipment “war trophies.” Moscow also noted that while the equipment was partially damaged, its engines were still working, indicating that the Ukrainian soldiers who were driving the vehicles had quickly retreated. (Reuters)
* Russia arrests defense workers suspected of spying for Ukraine : On June 13, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had arrested a group of former defense industry workers suspected of spying for Ukraine, as well as transferring technical documents and models used to produce weapons systems and aircraft for the Russian air force.
According to the FSB, this group was involved in plans to blow up transport infrastructure such as railway lines used to supply goods to Russian forces in Ukraine. The specific identities of these people have not been disclosed. (Reuters)
* Russia will cancel the treaty with Ukraine on the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait : On June 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that Moscow will cancel the cooperation treaty with Ukraine on the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
The above-mentioned treaty was signed by representatives of the two countries in the city of Kerch, Crimea on December 24, 2003. This document emphasizes the important role of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait in the economic development of the two countries, as well as the need to protect the Azov-Kerch region as an inseparable economic and natural entity. (RIA)
* Wall Street Journal : The US will provide depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine : On June 13, the Wall Street Journal (USA) reported that US officials said on June 12 that the administration of President Joe Biden will provide Ukraine with depleted uranium ammunition. This decision may come after weeks of internal debate on how to arm the Abrams tanks that Washington will transfer to Kiev.
Earlier in April, Britain said it had shipped thousands of rounds to Ukraine to equip its Challenger 2 tanks, including depleted uranium armor-piercing shells. The Russian government immediately criticized the move. (Wall Street Journal)
* Ukraine: Russia launches missile attack on Kryvyi Rih city : On June 13, writing on Telegram , Mr. Oleksandr Vilkul, Mayor of the central Ukrainian city, said that as of 13:00 (17:00 Vietnam time), 10 people had died after the missile attack by Russia on the same day. This official also stated that another person is currently trapped under the rubble and 28 people were injured. (Reuters)
* Ukrainian army lost half of Leopard tanks provided by Finland : On June 12, the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat quoted verification expert John Helin as saying that the photo published in Zaporizhzhia province and on the Telegram channel “Military Messenger” is real. Thus, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) may have lost 3/6 of the German Leopard tanks provided by Finland.
On June 11, the Russian Defense Ministry said that 11 Ukrainian tanks, including 3 Leopards, were destroyed in South Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk on the same day. A day earlier, the Russian military said that the VSU had lost 9 tanks, including 4 Leopards. ( Helsingin Sanomat )
* Ukraine “ keeps an eye ” on Australia’s F-18s : On June 13, in an interview with AFP (France), Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said that Ukraine has asked Australia to provide information on the status of 41 “retired” F-18 fighter jets at the air base in North Sydney.
Previously, some Western countries had mentioned the possibility of providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but this is the first time Kiev has shown its public interest in Canberra's F-18 jets.
For his part, Mick Ryan, a former Australian Major General, said the F-18 could help create a “level playing field” against Russia’s more powerful and better-equipped air force. He said it would help deter attacks on Ukraine’s towns, cities and critical infrastructure. (AFP)
* Serbia warns of climax of conflict in Ukraine : On June 13, speaking on Happy TV (Serbia), President Aleksandar Vucic said: “I am afraid that the conflict will escalate further. Ukraine has just begun to counterattack and that counterattack will be even stronger. Russia’s response, if they have enough forces, will not be weak.”
He said developments in Ukraine were adding to pressure on Serbia amid Western sanctions. The destruction of Western weapons in particular was also causing tension in the international arena.
The leader pointed out that Ukraine is a friendly country towards Serbia because Kiev does not recognize the independence of self-proclaimed Kosovo. President Vucic reiterated that Belgrade has not imposed sanctions on Russia and continues to maintain this position. (TASS)
| Israel sends food aid to Ukraine, alerts US on West Bank settlements |
Northeast Asia
* Chinese and Palestinian foreign ministers hold talks in Beijing : On June 13, Chinese state media reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki on the same day in Beijing.
Earlier, Palestinian media reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in China for a three-day state visit. Abbas is expected to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other senior officials.
Beijing expressed its willingness to facilitate peace talks between Israel and Palestine. (Reuters)
* Security advisers from South Korea, the US, and Japan plan to meet in Tokyo : On June 13, the South Korean Presidential Office said that National Security Adviser Cho Tae Yong will visit Japan from June 14-15 to meet with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan and Secretary General of the Japanese National Security Council Akiba Takeo.
The sides are expected to have “in-depth discussions” on North Korea, important regional and international issues, as well as the way forward for trilateral cooperation.
According to the source, Mr. Cho will also hold separate bilateral meetings with Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Akiba to discuss issues of mutual concern. (Yonhap)
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Europe
* German exports to Russia drop sharply : On June 13, the German Federal Statistical Office said that German exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) excluding Russia from January to April 2023 reached 2.9 billion euros, 1.5 billion euros more (equivalent to an increase of 106.4%) compared to the same period in 2021 - the time before the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out.
Many experts believe that the sanctions imposed on Moscow are partially circumvented as exports are sent to Russia's neighbors, from where they are re-shipped to this country.
Meanwhile, compared to the period before the conflict in Ukraine, Germany's exports to Russia have dropped sharply since the beginning of this year. Statistics show that in the first four months of 2023, Germany exported goods worth 3.5 billion euros to Russia, down over 58% compared to the same period in 2021 (8.4 billion euros). (Vietnam News Agency)
* Belarus gives reasons for Russia to deploy tactical nuclear weapons : On June 13, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus will serve as a deterrent against the risk of attack from attackers and there should be no hesitation in using this type of weapon if necessary.
Earlier, on June 9 in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart that Moscow would begin deploying tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus from July 7-8, after the facilities there are ready. (Belta)
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Middle East-Africa
* US calls on Tunisia to accept IMF reform package: On June 12, in a discussion with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Washington DC (USA), host country's Foreign Minister Antony Blinken mentioned the difficult economic situation in Tunisia. Accordingly, he supported the European Union (EU) to provide emergency aid to Tunisia, in exchange for the country accepting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) plan.
“We welcome Tunisia’s presentation of a revised reform plan to the IMF and the Fund’s ability to act on it,” the US diplomat said at a joint press conference. “Clearly, Tunisia needs additional support if it is to avoid falling into the economic abyss.”
Earlier, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU is ready to provide 900 million Euros to support Tunisia’s long-term development. In addition, the North African country will also receive an additional 150 million Euros in immediate budget support, after “reaching the necessary agreement” to “strengthen the relationship between the two sides”.
According to a statement posted on the EC website, the aid will depend on the decision to approve a nearly $2 billion loan that Tunisia is negotiating with the IMF. (AFP)
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