China warns EU of trade war, Ukraine attacks key Russian facility, Armenia recognizes Palestinian state

Russia warns South Korea against supplying weapons to Ukraine, the US bans Russian Kaspersky antivirus software, the EU is "deeply" concerned about China's dangerous actions in the East Sea... are some of the prominent international events in the past 24 hours.

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun (right) talks with Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev regarding the newly signed treaty between Russia and North Korea, in Seoul, June 21. (Source: Yonhap)

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

Asia- Pacific

*China warns EU of risk of "trade war": On June 21, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that the European Union (EU) continued to escalate trade tensions and this "could spark a trade war".

"The responsibility lies entirely with the EU," said a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce.

According to this official, China hopes that the EU will work together to resolve disagreements through dialogue and avoid escalating conflicts in the trade field or letting the situation get out of control. (TTX)

*North Korea attends BRICS sports festival in Russia: The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on June 21 that North Korean Vice Minister of Sports Kim Yong-gwon arrived in Russia to attend the BRICS+ meeting of sports ministers in Kazan, Russia.

Russia, which currently holds the rotating BRICS presidency, will host the BRICS Games from June 12-23. This is a step forward in strengthening cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of sports.

On June 19, after a summit in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin signed a cooperation agreement, ready to provide immediate military support in case of war.

The two also agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, education, public health, sports, culture and tourism. (Yonhap)

*EU 'deeply concerned' over dangerous actions by China in South China Sea: The European Union (EU) expressed its deep concern over the latest dangerous actions by Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on June 17. These actions caused damage to Philippine vessels and injuries to Philippine military personnel.

The EU affirms that the Charter of the United Nations (UN), the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award, as well as other international rules and regulations relevant to safety at sea, must be upheld and respected at all times. This includes in particular the prohibition of the use of force or coercion at sea, and the right to freedom of navigation.

The EU warned that such unilateral measures would hinder the achievement of a lasting solution to disputes in the South China Sea and increase the risk of dangerous confrontations. (EEAS.europa.eu)

*South Korea summons Russian ambassador to protest Russia-North Korea treaty: On June 21, the South Korean Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Seoul, Georgy Zinoviev, to protest Moscow's recent signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with North Korea at the summit between the two leaders on June 19.

The treaty provided that if either party was invaded or entered into a state of war, the other party would provide military and other assistance "by all means" and "without delay".

The pact guarantees automatic military intervention in the event of an attack on either country, restoring a Cold War-era alliance 28 years after their mutual defense pact was scrapped in 1996.

However, the South Korean presidential office has condemned the pact, calling it a threat to national security and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. South Korea currently provides only non-lethal aid to Ukraine and is reviewing its stance on providing arms to Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that South Korea's provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine would be a "huge mistake." (Yonhap)

Europe

*Ukraine attacks 4 oil refineries and military targets in Russia: On June 21, the Ukrainian military said it had launched drone attacks on 4 oil refineries, radar stations and other Russian military facilities.

On its Telegram page, the Ukrainian military issued a statement stating: "Drones attacked the Afipsky, Ilsky, Krasnodar and Astrakhan oil refineries. In addition, Russian radar stations and electronic warfare centers in the Bryansk region and the Crimean peninsula were also attacked."

The Ukrainian military also attacked drone storage and launch sites in Russia's Krasnodar region. (Reuters)

*Russia announced that it shot down a series of Ukrainian UAVs in Crimea and the Black Sea: RIA news agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry on June 21 as saying that Russian Air Defense Forces shot down 70 Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea and Crimea overnight.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said Russian forces destroyed six Ukrainian maritime drones in the Black Sea.

On his Telegram page, the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, confirmed on June 21 that Russian air defense forces had repelled a Ukrainian drone attack on the city in Crimea. The attack did not cause any casualties or damage. (TASS)

*Germany arrests 3 foreign citizens suspected of spying: On June 21, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office announced that prosecutors had arrested 3 suspects working for a secret, unnamed foreign agency.

The three men are Robert A. (Ukrainian), Vardges I. (Armenian) and Arman S. (Russian). They are believed to be traveling to Germany to collect information about a Ukrainian who is there.

The announcement of the German Federal Prosecutor's Office also stated that on June 19, these three subjects scouted a cafe in Frankfurt, where the target was believed to be. (Reuters)

*Russia warns South Korea against supplying weapons to Ukraine: Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Vietnam on June 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin said South Korea would make a "big mistake" if it decided to supply weapons to Ukraine and that Moscow would respond to such a move in a way that could harm Seoul.

“As for supplying lethal weapons to the war zone in Ukraine, that would be a huge mistake… South Korea has nothing to worry about because our military support under the treaty that was signed only comes if an act of aggression is committed against one of the signatories,” President Putin said.

Earlier the same day, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the country would reconsider the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine after Mr. Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defense treaty the day before. (Yonhap)

Middle East-Africa

*Armenia officially recognizes the state of Palestine: The Armenian Foreign Ministry said on June 21 that the country has officially recognized the State of Palestine. This is a move made despite Israel's objections.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry statement also affirmed that the country supports the UN resolution on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supports a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

On the same day, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that it had summoned the Armenian Ambassador to Israel to protest Yerevan's announcement. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated: "Following Armenia's recognition of the state of Palestine, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Armenian Ambassador to Israel to strongly criticize it." (Reuters)

*UN experts call for stopping arms transfers to Israel: More than 30 United Nations (UN) experts on June 20 called on countries and companies to stop transferring weapons and ammunition to Israel.

Experts say such transfers may constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and risk contributing to international crimes, possibly including genocide.

In a joint statement, special rapporteurs, independent experts and working groups of the UN Human Rights Council called on states and arms manufacturers to stop selling or transferring weapons, ammunition and other military equipment to Israel, even if they are done so under existing export licenses. These companies include BAE Systems, Boeing, Caterpillar, General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin. (AFP)

*RSF seizes strategic city in South Sudan: The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on June 20 that they had taken control of the strategic city of el-Fula, capital of Sudan's West Kordofan state.

In a statement, RSF claimed to have “taken full control of the strategically important city of el-Fula, the capital of West Kordofan state.” A source close to the situation confirmed that clashes between RSF and units of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) based in a military base on the outskirts of el-Fula began on 19 June.

El-Fula is home to the Heglig oil field, one of Sudan's largest and most important. In addition, South Sudan's oil export pipelines to the port of Bashyer in eastern Sudan also pass through the city of el-Fula. Sudan has been embroiled in an armed conflict between the SAF and RSF since April 2023, according to the United Nations, which has killed more than 15,550 people and displaced more than 8.8 million. (Reuters)

*Iran summons Italian ambassador over Canadian sanctions: Iran's IRNA news agency reported on June 21 that Iran has summoned the Italian ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei - who represents Canadian interests in Tehran, after Ottawa listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

On social network X , Iran's acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri, stressed: "The Canadian government will be responsible for the consequences of this provocative and irresponsible decision."

Relations between Iran and Canada have been strained since they severed diplomatic ties in 2012. With no official diplomatic mission, Canada's interests in Iran are represented by Italy. (AFP)

America - Latin America

*Venezuela announced it is about to join BRICS: On June 21, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said that the country is getting closer to joining the BRICS group and is ready to provide fuel and minerals to BRICS members.

Venezuela has “the largest reserves of fuel in the world,” Ms. Rodriguez added. With a production of 3 million barrels of oil per day, Venezuela’s reserves are enough to last for three centuries.

Venezuela is also a country with iron ore, coal, gold and diamonds among the top in the world. (TASS)

*The US officially bans Russian Kaspersky antivirus software: The administration of US President Joe Biden on June 20 banned Russia-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky from providing its popular antivirus products in the US due to national security concerns.

“Kaspersky will generally not be able to sell its software in the United States or provide updates to software already in use, among other activities,” the Commerce Department said in a statement.

The announcement comes after a lengthy investigation found that "Kaspersky's continued operations in the United States pose a national security risk due to its cyber capabilities and the Russian government's ability to influence or direct Kaspersky's activities. " (AFP)

*Mexico's first female president forms cabinet: Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum on June 21 appointed former Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard as Minister of Economy. Juan Ramon de la Fuente, a veteran diplomat who is currently the main coordinator of the government's transition, will take over as foreign minister. Alicia Barcena will take over as Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, Rosaura Ruiz will head a new Ministry of Science and Technology, while Julio Berdegué Sacristán will take over as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. The final cabinet member appointed on June 20 was Ernestina Godoy Ramos, who will head the legal department of the Office of the President.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony of the new cabinet members, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum said she was pleased to receive support from the six newly appointed cabinet members. Sheinbaum is expected to continue announcing six new cabinet members on June 27. (AFP)

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