'Finalizing' the time for the meeting between Russian and Chinese leaders, Azerbaijan launched heavy shelling in Karabakh

The possibility of Wagner soldiers returning to Ukraine, South Korea expressing its attitude towards Russia about military cooperation with North Korea... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

Smoke rises from an explosion caused by shelling in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on September 19. (Source: Azerbaijan Defense Ministry)

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

* Wagner soldiers may return to Ukraine : On September 18, the Telegram channel “Military Observer” reported that there was information about the possibility of Wagner soldiers returning to the front in Ukraine. It is expected that they may participate in combat operations in “one of the difficult areas” on the ground.

There is also some information that Wagner is interacting directly with the Russian National Guard. Wagner soldiers left Ukraine a few months ago, after the failed armed uprising in Russia. However, after the death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, the private military company's gunmen seem to want to return to Ukraine. (TTXVN)

* US newspaper : Ukrainian missile caused explosion in the East : On September 19, the New York Times (US) reported that the bloody explosion that killed 16 people at a busy market in the city of Kostiantynivka, Eastern Ukraine on September 6 could have been caused by a Ukrainian missile.

According to the New York Times , evidence collected and analyzed, including missile debris, satellite imagery, witness accounts and social media posts, has “indicated that the disastrous attack was the result of a stray Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile launched from a Buk system.”

The newspaper quoted air defense experts as saying that missiles like the one that hit the market in Kostiantynivka could have veered off course for a number of reasons, including electronic malfunctions or damaged guidance fins that were broken during launch. Security camera footage showed that the missile entered Kostiantynivka from territory controlled by Kiev, not from behind Russian lines.

The New York Times also cited evidence that minutes before the attack, the Ukrainian military launched two surface-to-air missiles toward the Russian front line from the town of Druzhkivka, 10 miles northwest of Kostiantynivka. Two witnesses said they saw missiles being launched from Druzhkivka toward the Russian front line around the time of the attack. One of them said the missiles were headed toward Kostiantynivka.

According to the New York Times , measurements of the craters left by the explosion and debris found at the scene were consistent with a 9M38 missile, launched from a Buk mobile air defense vehicle. This is an air defense system used by both Ukraine and Russia. The US newspaper also quoted a spokesman for the Ukrainian armed forces as saying that Kiev's security agencies were still investigating the incident.

Previously, Ukraine accused the explosion of being caused by a Russian missile. Kiev has yet to react or comment on the evidence published by the US newspaper. (TTXVN)

* US Secretary: Ukraine will soon receive Abrams tanks : On September 19, speaking at the opening of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Germany, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized: "I... am pleased to announce that the M1 Abrams tanks that the US previously committed to will soon enter Ukraine."

Washington promised to deliver the tanks to Kiev earlier this year, part of a security assistance package worth more than $43 billion the US has pledged since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. (AFP)

* Russia and China have “close” positions on the US and Ukraine : On September 19, in a statement on Telegram after talks in Moscow between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his host counterpart Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated: “The closeness of the two sides’ positions regarding US actions in the international arena, including those of an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese nature, has been noted.” At the same time, officials from the two countries affirmed that they are moving closer together to counter US dominance on global issues.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Wang and Mr. Lavrov had a “detailed” discussion about Ukraine. The two sides “noted that any attempt to resolve the crisis without taking into account the interests and especially without the participation of Russia is futile.”

The talks also covered preparations for the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in October. “The talks proceeded in a trusting and constructive manner typical of the Russia-China dialogue,” the ministry said.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also informed his counterpart Lavrov about the “content of negotiations” with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan shortly before.

According to the Interfax news agency (Russia), on September 19, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks on “strategic security” with Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, before holding trilateral talks with Mongolian officials. Earlier, Mr. Wang arrived in Moscow after hours of talks in Malta with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the discussion described by the White House as “frank” and “constructive”.

In related news, Interfax quoted Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev as saying on September 19 that President Vladimir Putin will visit Beijing in October to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Reuters)

Southeast Asia

* Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin has surgery : On September 19, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said: "My father had surgery last week and I don't know how long it will take him to recover." Pheu Thai politician noted: "We are studying the regulations to help my father return home. We have not yet applied for amnesty."

Previously, after more than 15 years of exile abroad, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned home last month and served an eight-year prison sentence. However, he was hospitalized shortly after. The veteran politician was later pardoned by the Thai King and only had to serve one year in prison. According to the regulations of the Thai correctional agency, the Department of Corrections, elderly prisoners with health problems can apply for pardon after serving at least six months in prison. (Bangkok Post)

* Thai King's son calls for open discussion on royal insult law : On September 19, writing on his personal Facebook page, Mr. Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, emphasized: "Despite the differences in views on this issue, there must be a way for us to communicate with each other." He also noted that "everyone should share their opinions based on different experiences" on this issue.

The lese majeste law, also known as the “lese majeste law,” is contained in Article 112 of the Thai Penal Code and allows for jail terms for those who criticize the king or other royal figures. The provision has been controversial in Thailand. Some progressives, including the Move Forward Party (MFP), the largest opposition party in the Thai House of Representatives, have called for changes to the lese majeste law. Royalists, including the armed forces, have strongly opposed the move. (Bangkok Post)

Northeast Asia

* South Korea expresses its attitude to Russia about the possibility of military cooperation with North Korea: On September 19, the South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed that the country had summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Borisovich Kulik to warn about Moscow-Pyongyang military cooperation. Seoul called on Moscow to "immediately end military cooperation with North Korea and comply with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions."

“Our government will cooperate with the international community to ensure that any action that violates UN Security Council resolutions and seriously threatens our security will be clearly punished. Such action will have a very negative impact on Korea-Russia relations,” the statement stressed.

Previously, from September 12 to 17, North Korean President Kim Jong Un visited Russia. On September 13, he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Amur Province, the Far East region of the birch country.

KCNA (North Korea) stated: "The two sides exchanged constructive opinions on practical issues arising to further strengthen strategic and tactical coordination, cooperation and exchanges between the two armed forces as well as in the defense and security fields." In addition, Chairman Kim Jong Un also met with a number of senior Russian officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The North Korean leader also visited key military and technological sites and met with senior officials, sparking speculation of an arms alliance between the two countries. However, after the visit ended, the Kremlin insisted that it had not signed any military agreements with North Korea. (AFP)

Central Asia

* Azerbaijan shells Karabakh, what do the parties say? Authorities in the predominantly Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh said on September 19 that Azerbaijan was shelling the region with rockets and artillery along the entire frontline around the mountainous region. AFP reporters also heard loud explosions in the Armenian separatist stronghold of Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh, after Baku announced the deployment of “anti-terrorist measures”. Local media reported that Azerbaijan had also closed its airspace to Armenia.

Speaking about the shelling, Azerbaijan confirmed that it had informed Russia and Türkiye about the military operation as part of the “anti-terrorist operation” in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated: “The command of the Russian peacekeeping force and the leadership of the Turkish-Russian Monitoring Center have been informed about the ongoing operations.” At the same time, the ministry said that Defense Minister Zakir Gasanov had a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler to inform him about Baku’s operation.

For its part, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stressed earlier in the day that peace in the separatist mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh can only be achieved when Armenian troops leave the region and the separatist local government is dissolved.

Meanwhile, the Armenian Defense Ministry has just said that the situation on the border between the country and Azerbaijan remains stable after Baku's move. At the same time, the country denied that it had deployed troops in the area. The Armenian Defense Ministry emphasized that the country has repeatedly stated and stated again that Yerevan has no troops in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Responding to the above information, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow is concerned about this escalation, affirming that Russian peacekeeping forces in the region will continue their mission. In addition, she also said that Russia has not yet received any official request from Turkey to hold a four-party meeting regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. (AFP/Reuters)

Europe

* Turkey : Sweden has not made enough efforts to join NATO : On September 19, in response to PBS News (USA), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Sweden's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will be on the agenda of the Turkish Parliament next October.

However, when asked if the vote would take place early, the Turkish president said that “of course, for that to happen, Sweden has to keep its promise.” Referring to Kurdish groups that Ankara considers terrorists, Erdogan stressed that those organizations “should immediately stop their marches on the streets of Stockholm and they should stop their activities because it would be very important for the Turkish people to see that this is actually happening.” While admitting that Sweden appeared to have amended its laws to address the issue, the Turkish leader added that “it is not enough.” (RT)

Middle East-Africa

* Iraqi Prime Minister invited to visit the White House : On September 19, as part of his visit to New York (USA) to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sudani and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed their commitment to continue strengthening the partnership between the two countries. Secretary Blinken emphasized US support for the reopening of the pipeline connecting the Kurdish region in northern Iraq with Turkey, which has been closed since March. He also praised Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani's commitment to the independence of the Iraqi judiciary, as evidenced by the country's recent conviction of individuals on terrorism charges in connection with the 2022 murder of US citizen Stephen Troell.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also conveyed President Joe Biden's invitation to the Iraqi leader to the White House. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said the time of the meeting would be set later. (Reuters)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-199-chot-thoi-diem-lanh-dao-nga-trung-gap-go-azerbaijan-phao-kich-lon-o-karabakh-242780.html