Russia-Ukraine border heats up, Serbia-Kosovo tensions cause concern

Kiev continues to be attacked, Türkiye affirms its relationship with Russia, the US is ready to mediate in Sudan... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu and his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen on June 1. (Source: Singapore Ministry of Defense )

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

Russia-Ukraine

* Kremlin: Russia thwarted three attacks on the border with Ukraine: On June 1, TASS (Russia) quoted the country's Defense Ministry as saying that the Russian Army had thwarted three attacks by Ukrainian forces on the border in Belgorod. Specifically, the Russian side repelled Ukrainian units that tried to cross the border.

Earlier, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said eight people were injured and several buildings were damaged in the shelling carried out by the Ukrainian side. Residents evacuated the border town of Shebekino to avoid casualties.

For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian Defense Ministry, border guards, emergency services and local authorities are constantly reporting to President Vladimir Putin about the situation in the Belgorod region. (TASS)

* State Duma annuls Russia-Ukraine agreement on the Sea of ​​Azov : At the plenary session on June 1, the State Duma (lower house) of Russia passed a law on annulment of the agreement with Ukraine on cooperation in the use of the Sea of ​​Azov and the Kerch Strait, which was submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 24.

In 2003, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement on cooperation in the use of the Sea of ​​Azov and the Kerch Strait, but the agreement did not mention national borders. It is expected that, if necessary, the countries will sign a separate agreement on the delimitation of the sea according to national borders.

After Russia annexed Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, Ukraine's access to the Sea of ​​Azov became more difficult. In May 2022, Kiev authorities announced the temporary closure of four seaports on the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Azov - Mariupol, Berdyansk, Kherson, Skadovsk - because they could not provide shipping services. (Sputnik)

* Ukraine's capital continues to be attacked : On June 1, writing on Telegram , Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that during the day, Russia launched a new artillery attack targeting the Desnyanskyi area, an eastern suburb of the capital, killing 3 people and injuring several others. This is the 18th attack on the capital Kiev this month. (Reuters)

* Ukraine wants a “ clear ” decision on its future in NATO : On June 1, speaking at the European Political Community Summit in Moldova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated: “This year is a year for decisions. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius needs to issue a clear invitation for Ukraine to join and ensure security on the way to membership.

In (the fall), regarding the accession to the European Union (EU), there must also be a clear, positive decision. We are also preparing to launch the Peace Summit, thereby leading the world to implement the peace formula together." (Reuters)

Russia-US

* Russia : The US conducts intelligence activities via iPhone: On June 1, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated: "The FSB has discovered intelligence activities by US special agencies using Apple mobile devices."

Russia claims that US intelligence has collected information through thousands of iPhones, including those registered to foreign officials working in Russia and former Soviet states, including NATO members, Israel, Syria and China. The FSB said the scheme showed the close relationship between Apple and the US National Security Agency - the agency responsible for US intelligence, communications security and cryptography. (Reuters/Sputnik)

Southeast Asia

* Singapore and China establish military hotline : On June 1, the Singapore Ministry of Defense said that Minister Ng Eng Hen and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Establishing a Secure Defense Telephone Line after co-chairing the 2nd Singapore-China Defense Ministers' Dialogue.

During the two-hour dialogue, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the 2019 Enhanced Agreement on Defense Exchanges and Security Cooperation (ADESC). The two sides also discussed regional and global security issues, as well as ways to enhance defense cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Beijing.

This is the first visit to Singapore and participation in the Shangri-La Dialogue by Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. He will also be one of the keynote speakers at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, where the official will deliver a speech titled "China's New Security Initiatives." (VNA)

South Pacific

* Australia hopes China will lift tariffs on barley : On June 1, speaking to the press, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "Barley is next (exported to China). The information we have received from our officials in China is that everything is moving in the right direction. So I hope that when the final decision is made, it will be a positive decision and we can bring Australian barley back to China."

Beijing's review of an 80.5% anti-dumping duty on Australian barley is "completed or close to completion," he said after a "good meeting" with his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Detroit last week. (AFP)

Northeast Asia

* Beijing declares it will protect the interests of Chinese businesses : On June 1, the spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce of this country, Shu Jueting, stated: "We will resolutely protect the interests of Chinese businesses to conduct normal commercial activities."

The statement came after the EU implemented its 11th round of sanctions against Russia, which include provisions that could lead to trade restrictions with China.

This is the first time the European Commission has proposed a new tool to restrict trade with third countries that are believed to be evading existing sanctions. (Reuters)

* North Korea uses new engine in latest satellite launch : Analysts said on June 1 that the satellite-carrying rocket in North Korea's latest launch appeared to be a new design and likely used an engine developed for the country's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Mr. Ankit Panda from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (USA) commented: "The rocket we saw is completely different from the original design... It seems to use an engine that appeared in a previous ICBM in North Korea".

For his part, Mr. Joseph Dempsey, a defense researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (USA), said that the missile could be propelled by a two-nozzle liquid fuel engine like in North Korea's Hwasong-15 ICBM. Others said that the engine was developed from the Soviet RD-250 engine. (Reuters)

Europe

* Kosovo tensions: Serbian officials speak out, what do other countries say? On May 31, NATO-led peacekeeping forces increased security around the town hall in the northern Kosovo town of Zvecan, where a newly appointed ethnic Albanian mayor will take office after an election boycotted by the town's Serbs. Hundreds of Serbs gathered outside the town hall in Zvecan for the third consecutive day and unfurled a giant Serbian flag 200 meters from the government building to the town center.

In this situation, on the same day, Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic stated: "The security situation is extremely risky due to the unilateral and illegal decisions of Pristina, especially the intention to occupy Northern Kosovo and Metohija". Previously, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the NATO mission in Kosovo (KFOR) had failed to protect Serbs in Kosovo despite the existing guarantees. He was concerned that the situation in Kosovo could develop in a bad direction.

For her part, Kosovo's head Vjosa Osmani stressed that Serbia must stop its actions that destabilize Kosovo, thereby ending the violence in the north of the territory. She also criticized Serbia for actively supporting "illegal structures" in Kosovo that aim to destabilize the region from within. The Kosovo leader affirmed that President Vucic must stop supporting criminal gangs if he truly wants peace.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance had sent an additional 700 troops to Kosovo to supplement KFOR. “NATO will remain vigilant. Our message to both Belgrade and Pristina is that both sides must show good faith in the EU-led dialogue,” he stressed.

Earlier this week, 30 peacekeepers and 52 ethnic Serbian protesters were injured in clashes between Serbia and Kosovo.

On the same day, speaking on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Moldova, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said he urged Kosovo leader Albin Kurti to play a role in easing tensions and hoped to convey the same message to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Speaking at a press conference in Bratislava (Slovakia), French President Emmanuel Macron stressed: "It is clear that Kosovo is responsible for this situation. There has been no compliance with the important agreement, which was guaranteed just a few weeks ago."

For his part, the Office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on the same day that the leader had phone calls with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The statement on these meetings also stated: "During the discussions, President Erdogan affirmed Turkey's readiness to contribute to the dialogue process." He also stated that dialogue is the only way to establish lasting peace in the region. (AFP/Reuters/TTXVN)

* Turkey will maintain strategic relations with Russia : On June 1, the leader of Turkey's Renewal Party, Mr. Ozturk Yilmaz, stated: "My personal belief is that we need Russia and Russia needs Turkey. We are strategic partners in many areas regardless of what is happening in our domestic affairs. The two countries need each other. We have to work together."

The politician also said that the Turkish public believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin supported Erdogan during his election campaign and through his initiative to transport gas freely to Türkiye. “There will be new joint projects. New projects that will benefit us. The common good requires us to work together, to create new areas of investment,” he added.

Earlier, on May 28, Turkey's Supreme Election Council said that Tayyip Erdogan had won the second round of the presidential election against his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu, with 52.14% of the vote. Putin called Erdogan and congratulated him on his re-election, saying that the result was "clear evidence of the Turkish electorate's support for Erdogan's efforts to strengthen the country's sovereignty and pursue an independent foreign policy." (Sputnik)

Middle East-Africa

* US ready to mediate in Sudan : Speaking on June 1, a US State Department spokesperson said: "Once the forces clearly demonstrate through their actions that they are serious about abiding by the ceasefire, the United States and Saudi Arabia are ready to continue facilitating the suspended discussions to find a negotiated solution to this conflict."

Earlier on May 31, the Sudanese army blew up paramilitary bases after withdrawing from ceasefire talks. They accused the paramilitary forces of violating the ceasefire agreement to receive aid. (AFP)

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