Russia shoots down 3 UAVs near Moscow, Ukraine counterattack 'slower than expected'?

Indian Prime Minister visits the US, Korea-France summit, Iranian Foreign Minister visits Oman... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

US President Joe Biden (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Source: AFP/Getty Images)

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

* Russia shot down 3 UAVs near Moscow : On June 21, the Russian Defense Ministry stated: "Today's attempt by the Kiev government to carry out an attack using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against facilities in the Moscow region was stopped." Specifically, these UAVs were all neutralized by electronic warfare defense systems before being shot down and no one was injured in this attack.

Earlier, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said that two UAVs were circling with the aim of “approaching the storage units of a military base” about 50 km southwest of Moscow.

On June 20, Russia announced attacks on a series of military targets in Kiev and other regions of Ukraine. The country's Defense Ministry said its forces had attacked and destroyed eight ammunition depots across Ukraine in 24 hours and repelled Kiev's attacks in three regions. (AFP)

* Russia arrests man for transferring money to Ukrainian military: On June 21, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) arrested a resident in the far eastern Khabarovsk region for trying to transfer “cryptocurrency” to the Ukrainian military so that this force could buy UAVs, cameras, ammunition and medical supplies.

TASS (Russia) reported that the FSB also detained a group of “saboteurs” in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Melitopol who were preparing an assassination attempt on officials. However, the source did not say how many people were detained, or who was behind the plot. (Reuters)

* Ukrainian President: Counterattack progress is "slower than expected" : On June 21, in an interview with BBC (UK), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated: "Some people believe that this is a Hollywood movie and expect results (from the counterattack campaign) right now. That is not the case."

On the same day, speaking at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in London (UK) about recovery efforts, Mr. Zelensky stated: "We must move from agreements to practical projects... There is a Ukrainian delegation that will present specific things and we propose to do this together during my visit." (Reuters)

* NATO Secretary General affirms Russia 'cannot win': On June 20, speaking to RTL/NTV (Germany), Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg stated: "We will do everything possible to support Ukraine as long as necessary. Germany plays a key role in this... All NATO allies have made it clear that we will continue to support (Ukraine), because if President Putin wins in Ukraine, it will be a tragedy for Ukraine... and us.

Earlier, speaking during a visit to the FFG (Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft) weapons manufacturer with the host country's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Mr. Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of the German arms industry, affirming that what is happening in Ukraine is a conflict of "attrition" and has now turned into a logistical confrontation. (Reuters)

* EC President: EU has “special responsibility” for Ukraine: On June 21, speaking at the Reconstruction of Ukraine Conference in London (UK), President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen said: “This is Ukraine’s immediate need. But let’s talk about the future. I believe that the European Union (EU) has a special responsibility for this country… Ukrainians say that when they look to their future, they will see the European flag flying over their cities. I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of our union.” (Reuters)

* US, Ukrainian Foreign Ministers meet in London : On June 20, on the sidelines of the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference held in London (UK), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba. According to the US State Department, Mr. Blinken emphasized Washington's support for Kiev's economic recovery and highlighted the importance of close cooperation through the Multi-Agency Funding Coordination Framework. The diplomat also affirmed his commitment to working with the private sector to facilitate the modernization and reconstruction of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the need for Ukraine to continue implementing reforms to create an environment for investment and sustainable growth, as well as the continued US economic, energy, and security support for Ukraine. On this occasion, Mr. Blinken informed Foreign Minister Kuleba about his trip to China and the content of his discussions with Beijing officials on Ukraine.

On the same day, speaking at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference, Mr. Blinken also stated: “We will provide more than $1.3 billion in additional aid to support Ukraine. We will invest $520 million to help Ukraine overhaul its energy grid.” (Reuters)

* Possibility of US Special Envoy on Climate Visiting China : On the evening of June 20, US President Joe Biden said that Special Envoy John Kerry may soon visit China.

Earlier, during a meeting in Beijing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to continue strengthening bilateral diplomatic relations and that more US officials would visit China in the near future. At the same time, both sides pledged to stabilize relations between Washington and Beijing, avoiding pushing the two countries into conflict. However, no breakthroughs were recorded during the rare visit of the US Secretary of State. (Reuters)

Southeast Asia

* Thailand continues to investigate the parliamentary candidacy of MFP leader : On June 20, the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand said that the agency needs more evidence to investigate the leader of the Forward Party (MFP), Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat.

The EC will question iTV executives and Pita, the sole prime minister candidate for the MFP, which won the general election on May 14, said Thitichet Nuchanart, a member of the commission. The commission will also examine further evidence related to the complaint, including the minutes of iTV’s most recent shareholders’ meeting and a recording of the April 26 meeting, Thiticet said.

Previously, discrepancies between the official minutes of the shareholders’ meeting and the video of the meeting had sparked controversy over Mr. Pita’s alleged disqualification from running for a seat in the lower house, as well as the conclusion on whether iTV was still operating as a media company. Mr. Thitichet further noted that information about Mr. Pita’s asset declaration to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) would also be used for the EC’s investigation.

According to Thai regulations, citizens who hold shares in media companies are not allowed to run for the House of Representatives. If they violate the regulations, candidates can be disqualified from running for office, banned from political activities and even imprisoned. (Vietnam News Agency)

South Asia

* The US will raise human rights issues with India : Speaking to reporters on the US-India leaders' talks in Washington DC on June 21, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Mr. Biden is expected to raise US concerns about India's democratic backsliding. However, the White House boss will not criticize Prime Minister Modi on this topic.

Still, National Security Adviser Sullivan said that when the US sees challenges to the press, religion or other freedoms, “we will make our views public.” He added: “The question of where politics and the question of democratic institutions go in India will be for the Indians to decide. It will not be for the United States to decide.”

The two leaders are expected to announce a number of agreements related to defense cooperation and trade, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and investments in India by Micron Technology and other US companies.

During his visit to the US, Narendra Modi will address a joint session of the US Congress. The Prime Minister will also meet with the Indian-American community and leading CEOs to discuss opportunities to enhance trade and investment ties and build sustainable global supply chains. (Reuters)

Northeast Asia

* Chinese aircraft carrier group passes through Taiwan Strait : On June 21, Taiwan's defense agency (China) said that mainland China's aircraft carrier group led by the Shandong ship passed through the Taiwan Strait. Specifically, the Shandong aircraft carrier, which was put into service in 2019, moved south through the western part of the Taiwan Strait. Immediately after that, the island's authorities mobilized "appropriate forces" to monitor the above activities. (Reuters)

* Japanese PM undecided on China visit : Kishida Fumio said at a press conference in Tokyo on June 21 that nothing has been decided on a visit to Beijing. However, the Japanese prime minister made it clear that he felt that his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last year had created positive momentum for bilateral relations. (Kyodo)

* South Korea asks France to ensure fairness for businesses : On June 20, at the Elysee Palace, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks with his host counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Speaking the same evening, South Korean Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae Hyo said: "President Yoon asked the French President to pay special attention to ensuring that the new trade law measures promoted by the EU do not discriminate against our businesses."

The two leaders also agreed to expand cooperation in space and defense between France's Airbus and South Korean companies, taking advantage of the planned establishment of South Korea's own national aerospace agency, a version of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Yoon and Macron also pledged to expand technological cooperation for next-generation small modular reactors and clean energy, including hydrogen, and agreed to increase exchanges and cooperation between startups. (Yonhap)

Central Asia

* Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of border attacks : On June 21, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated: "Units of the Armenian armed forces used various types of small arms to fire at positions of the Azerbaijani army." The ministry also criticized the Armenian armed forces for also firing at Azerbaijani positions near Susha in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. (Reuters)

Europe

* Belarus begins military mobilization exercises : On June 21, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced that the country's armed forces began their annual 10-day "mobilization exercise." According to Minsk, the exercise is aimed at assessing the level of preparedness of state agencies to mobilize reserve forces.

Earlier this month, Belarus took delivery of Russian tactical nuclear missiles, which President Vladimir Putin said was intended as a warning to the West. (Reuters)

* France considers purchasing 1,000 Mistral missiles : On June 20, the French Ministry of Defense announced that the country could purchase 1,000 Mistral air defense missiles worth about 500 million Euros (545.6 million USD) in a joint procurement plan with four other European countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France, along with Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary, had agreed to the procurement plans, saying there had been progress in persuading some of France’s EU allies to consider more of a domestic defence strategy, in contrast to a German-led effort to jointly produce air defence systems from outside Europe.

The Mistral air defense systems are manufactured by MBDA, in which Airbus (France) and BAE Systems (UK) each have a 37.5% stake, while Italy's Leonardo owns a 25% stake. (Reuters)

* Sweden urges Turkey on NATO membership : Speaking on the sidelines of the Swedish Parliament meeting on June 21, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said: "According to our assessment, we have fulfilled the requirements. Now it is time for the Turkish Parliament to begin the ratification process." (VNA)

* Iranian Foreign Minister arrives in Oman : On June 21, as part of his tour of the Gulf region, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Oman and met with senior host country official Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani to discuss relations between the two countries and "some areas of cooperation".

Earlier, on June 20, Mr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Qatar to discuss Iran's nuclear program with his counterpart from the host country. According to the plan, after visiting Oman, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will visit Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Last week, Iran said it had held indirect talks with the United States through Oman on issues including its nuclear program, US sanctions on Iran and Americans detained in Iran. (ONA)

* Israel to continue construction of 1,000 apartments in Eli settlement : The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced on June 21 that the Jewish state will continue to implement a plan to build 1,000 new apartments in the Eli settlement in the West Bank, shortly after a shooting in the area that killed four Israelis and injured four others. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have "agreed to immediately proceed" with the plan, but did not give details on the time and progress. (Times of Israel)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-216-nga-ban-ha-3-uav-gan-moscow-chien-dich-phan-cong-ukraine-cham-hon-mong-muon-231797.html