Russia is pessimistic about Ukraine's ability to join the EU, is the Israel-Hamas conflict entering a new phase?

Ukrainian President visits US forces in Europe, Ankara wants to mediate negotiations between Moscow and Kiev... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

Ukrainian President during a visit to the US garrison in Germany. (Source: Reuters)

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

* Russia: Ukraine may take decades to join the EU : On December 15, the Kremlin said that Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU) is a very distant prospect and that Brussels' initiative is just a manifestation of political support for Kiev.

Speaking at a press conference, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov analyzed that neither Ukraine nor Moldova, another former Soviet republic seeking to join the EU, fit the EU's strict criteria. According to him, admitting Kiev could destabilize the bloc. (Reuters)

* Ukrainian President unexpectedly visits US troops stationed in Europe : On the afternoon of December 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unexpectedly visited the US Army European Command, headquartered in Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany.

Writing on social network X , he said he had made the visit after a visit to Norway. President Zelensky “was once again convinced of the excellent quality of US military aid to Ukraine,” and affirmed that this aid was really needed to be able to win against Russia. The leader expected “the US Congress to make an important decision soon” to continue supporting Ukraine.

The brief visit coincided with an EU summit in Brussels, which discussed Ukraine's accession to the EU. Later that day, European Council President Charles Michel announced that the Council had decided to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. (Reuters)

* Turkey wants to resume peace talks between Russia and Ukraine : Turkish political analyst Engin Ozer said on December 15 that during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in early 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may propose that Moscow resume talks with Kiev, with Ankara acting as a mediator. “President Erdogan is determined to play the role of mediator in the crisis in Ukraine,” Ozer said. The analyst also pointed out that Ankara wants to invite Russia to resume talks with Kiev in Istanbul.

Previously, Alper Elicin, a columnist for the Turkish newspaper Medya Günlüğü , said that the West accepted the division of Ukraine and its status as a buffer state. According to the journalist, the US and the EU believe that they have made a very profitable investment and that the Russian army will not be able to regain its previous strength and economic and military potential for at least five years. (RIA Novosti)

* Israel offers reward for information on Hamas leader : On December 14, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) distributed leaflets throughout Gaza. According to the leaflets, the force will reward $400,000 for information on Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, $300,000 for information on his brother Muhammad Sinwar. A lower reward, worth $200,000, will be given by the IDF for information on the location of Rafa Salama, commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade; $100,000 will be given for information on Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas' military wing. (Times of Israel)

* The US continues to call on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza : On December 14, President Joe Biden declared: "I want them to focus on how to save civilian lives, not to stop hunting Hamas but to be more careful."

Meanwhile, in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed “long-standing support” for Israel in the Gaza Strip, while also reminding that it is necessary to protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid. (Times of Israel)

* US: Conflict in Gaza Strip enters new phase : On December 15, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the situation in Gaza Strip will move to a new phase focusing on the precise targeting of the leadership of the Hamas Islamist movement and intelligence-supported operations. However, he did not give details about the time of the change in intensity in this war. Speaking in Tel Aviv, he only said: "The conditions and timing for that are obviously the subject of discussion between me and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu."

Notably, he stated: "We do not believe that Israel's control of Gaza, its long-term reoccupation of Gaza, is reasonable or right for Israel," amid much speculation about the post-war future of the territory. (Reuters)

* Israel arrests more than 4,400 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem : On December 14, Anadolu (Turkey) quoted the Palestinian Prisoners Organization as saying that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had arrested more than 4,400 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since October 7. Hundreds of Palestinians have been detained in the city of Jenin in the past few days, but most of them have been released after interrogation.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that since December 12, Israel has launched a military operation in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, killing at least 12 people since December 12. In addition, 288 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,100 others injured in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since October 7. (Anadolu)

* Turkey condemns Israeli attacks on Jenin : On December 15, writing on social network X, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Kecel stated: "We strongly condemn the actions of Israeli soldiers who stormed the Jenin refugee camp and disrespected the sanctity of the place of worship by entering the mosque." Earlier, the IDF's military operation in this area left a young man dead in hospital. At the same time, Jews were said to be reciting their prayers at a mosque in Jenin. (Reuters)

Southeast Asia

* Indonesia appoints new head of anti-terror squad : Major General Sentot Prasetyo was appointed on December 14 as commander of the Indonesian National Police's anti-terror squad (Densus 88), as the force steps up efforts to combat terrorist networks. Sentot, who was previously deputy commander of Densus 88, has been appointed to replace General Marthinus Hukom, who will head the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

Also on December 14, Densus said it had arrested nine terror suspects in coordinated operations across Central Java. According to Indonesian National Police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan, the suspects were arrested in Sukoharjo, Sragen, Klaten and Boyolali, on charges of having links to the notorious terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah. Authorities also seized a number of items including guns, bullets and crossbows. However, they did not disclose specific details or the identities of the arrested suspects. (TTXVN)

Northeast Asia

* China issues draft data security emergency plan : China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on December 15 released a draft emergency plan detailing how the government should assess and respond to data security incidents. The plan highlights Beijing's concerns about the potential for large-scale data leaks and domestic cyberattacks, amid rising geopolitical tensions with the United States and its allies. (Reuters)

* South Korea protests China-Russia intrusion into KADIZ : On December 15, Director of the International Policy Department of the South Korean Ministry of National Defense, Mr. Lee Seung-bom, expressed regret over Russian and Chinese fighter jets entering the South Korean air defense identification zone (KADIZ) in the Sea of ​​Japan without prior notice.

“The Ministry of National Defense of South Korea expressed regret to China and Russia over the military aircraft of the two countries flying into sensitive areas near our airspace without prior notice,” the statement said. The ministry also called on China and Russia to take appropriate measures to avoid a recurrence of the incident, noting that such a flight could cause regional tensions.

Earlier, on December 14, two Chinese military aircraft and four Russian military aircraft briefly entered KADIZ, forcing the South Korean Air Force to scramble fighter jets. However, the six aircraft did not violate South Korean airspace. The Chinese and Russian defense ministries said they conducted a joint reconnaissance flight as part of their annual cooperation plan, and affirmed that the flight was in accordance with international law. (Yonhap)

* Russia warns of consequences of Finland-US agreement : On December 15, speaking at a press conference, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russia will consider the appearance of NATO infrastructure near its borders as a threat.

“This will inevitably lead to tensions. We can only regret this,” Peskov said. “We have excellent relations with Finland. No one threatens anyone, there are no problems or complaints. No one infringes on anyone’s interests, mutual respect. But when Finland becomes a NATO member and NATO military infrastructure appears on Finnish territory, this poses a clear threat to us.”

Finland became NATO's newest member this year and is expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States on December 18. (Reuters)

* EU countries will ban imports of Russian diamonds : On the sidelines of the recent EU summit in Brussels, a spokesman for the EC President confirmed that EU countries have agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia. In addition to diamond trade, Russian oil exports to third countries will also face more difficulties.

The sanctions package is expected to include a ban on diamond imports from Russia and a cap on the price of Russian oil exports to third countries. Trade restrictions and sanctions against individuals and organizations supporting Russia's military campaign in Ukraine are also planned. The agreement is expected to be formalized in writing on December 15, European time.

Russia is considered the world's largest producer of rough diamonds. In 2021, state-owned diamond mining company Alrosa had revenue of 332 billion rubles (3.41 billion euros).

In addition to economic sanctions, the EU is also planning to impose other sanctions targeting more than 100 individuals and organizations supporting Russian military activities. Accordingly, these individuals and organizations will no longer be able to handle assets currently in the EU. Those working in the Russian military, defense and information technology sectors may also be banned from entering the EU.

In related news, on December 15, the British government imposed a “correspondent banking and payment processing ban” on lender Novikombank. In addition, the bank’s assets were also frozen. According to the UK, Novikombank “is involved in obtaining benefits or supporting the Russian Government.” (Reuters/VNA)

* Slovak truck drivers end blockade of border with Ukraine : On December 15, the Slovak Transport Association (UNAS) and the State Border Service of Ukraine said that Slovak truck drivers have ended the blockade of the only road freight border crossing between the two countries.

In a statement, UNAS confirmed that it had begun lifting the blockade from 9 p.m. local time on December 14, stressing that it was responding to a call from the Slovak security forces. UNAS respected the call because the forces respected the truck drivers' right to protest. For its part, the State Border Service of Ukraine said that about 60 trucks had passed through the Uzhhorod border crossing into Ukraine and another 1,065 were awaiting electronic customs clearance.

On December 11, Slovakian transport companies blocked the movement of Ukrainian trucks and asked the EU to re-impose access restrictions on Ukrainian road transport companies. According to them, Ukraine is dumping transport costs. (TTXVN)

America

* Guyana, Venezuela agree to avoid escalation of conflict : St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said on December 14 that Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to avoid any escalation of conflict amid recent tensions in the disputed and oil-rich border area between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his Guyanese counterpart Irfaan Ali met to discuss ways to “de-escalate” tensions. However, analysts say the move is unlikely to effectively de-escalate tensions in resolving the long-standing and increasingly heated territorial dispute between the two sides.

The Essequibo Territory dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has lasted for more than 100 years. Tensions over the territory have increased since Caracas held a referendum on the issue recently, in which 95% of voters supported the creation of the “Guayana Esequiba State” within Venezuela. (Reuters)

Middle East-Africa

* Niger: Military government agrees to return to civilian rule : On December 15, speaking on Niger national television, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said he had reached an agreement "on the content and timing of the transition process" with Niger's government-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine and Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare.

“We are ready to present the plan… to the mediating head of state and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission,” the diplomat said.

On December 14, ECOWAS suspended Niger from its decision-making bodies from December 10, until constitutional order is restored. (AFP)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-1412-nga-bi-quan-ve-kha-nang-ukraine-vao-eu-xung-dot-israel-hamas-buoc-sang-giai-doan-moi-254035.html