Russia exercises nuclear missile units, US President pledges continued support for Ukraine, Israel calls on Hamas to surrender

Ukraine evacuated thousands of people from Kupiansk, Venezuela arrested an American citizen on terrorism charges, the Philippines urged ASEAN to complete the COC, the US sanctioned Chinese companies related to Russian UAVs... are some of the international news highlights in the past 24 hours.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (right) welcomes US President Joe Biden in Berlin on October 18. (Source: AA)

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

Asia-Pacific

*Chinese President to attend BRICS Summit in Russia: Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying confirmed the news on October 18. Russia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of BRICS, said this year's summit will focus on promoting partnership in politics and security, economics and finance, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties.

BRICS currently has nine member countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (TTX)

*Philippines urges ASEAN to finalize COC: Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo on October 18 stressed that the increasingly frequent confrontations between China and the Philippines in the East Sea this year should remind Southeast Asian countries of the urgency of completing the long-delayed Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).

"We are very keen to find a way to at least manage or de-escalate the situation," Manalo told Nikkei Asia during a visit to Bangkok.

At a meeting last week between the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, the bloc’s largest trading partner, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cited maritime disputes as a risk to the region’s economic prosperity, urging both sides to speed up negotiations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea that has been stalled for years. (Nikkei Asia)

*US sanctions Chinese companies involved in Russian UAVs used in Ukraine: On October 17, the US announced sanctions targeting Chinese companies involved in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by Russia in Ukraine.

According to the US Treasury Department, this is the first time the US has sanctioned Chinese entities that “directly develop and produce finished weapons” in cooperation with Russian partners. The three targeted companies, two in China and one in Russia, as well as a Russian citizen, were involved in the development of Russia’s Garpiya long-range attack drone.

Beijing has protested the move, insisting it has not supplied lethal weapons to either side in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The US has previously sanctioned Chinese entities that supply components to Russian weapons manufacturers. (AFP)

*South Korea warns of North Korea's troop deployment to Russia: On October 18, South Korea declared that North Korea's troop deployment to Russia is a serious security threat to the international community and Seoul will respond to this move with all possible measures.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol convened an emergency security meeting to discuss the issue. The presidential office stressed that closer ties between Russia and North Korea, from military supplies to troop movements, pose a serious threat to international security.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused North Korea of ​​deploying officers and preparing to send thousands of soldiers to support Russia. However, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has not confirmed this information.

Russia and North Korea have both denied allegations that they are involved in arms transfers and troop movements. (Reuters)

Europe

*NATO announced to continue to increase its presence on the border with Russia: Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte announced on October 18 that the military alliance will continue to increase its presence on the eastern flank near the border with the Russian Federation, strengthening air defense systems, artillery and 5th generation fighter aircraft.

Speaking after a meeting with the heads of defense ministries of NATO member countries, Mr. Rutte affirmed: "We discussed strengthening collective defense and deterrence... Recently, we have also significantly increased our presence on the eastern flank and increased air patrols.

Russia has pointed out unprecedented NATO activity on the country's western borders. The Kremlin noted that Moscow does not threaten anyone but will not ignore actions that could endanger its interests. (Sputnik)

*Ukraine evacuates thousands of people from Kupiansk: Ukraine is evacuating about 10,000 people from the town of Kupiansk and surrounding areas in the northeastern province of Kharkov.

The governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleg Sinegubov, said the forced evacuation was due to constant shelling of Kupiansk, which left the authorities unable to ensure electricity and water supplies.

Kupiansk, a key railway hub, was occupied by Russia in early 2022 and was retaken by Ukraine six months later. Russian forces have recently moved within a few kilometers of the town.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has just announced a "victory plan" to end the war with Russia. However, the Ukrainian army is facing exhaustion and manpower shortages on the eastern battlefield. (AFP)

*Russia conducts drills for nuclear missile units: RIA news agency on October 18 quoted a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry saying that the commanders of Russia's strategic nuclear forces will check the combat readiness of units stationed in the town of Bologoye.

The exercise will include maneuvers and deployment of mobile Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers. (Reuters)

*NATO on alert over rumors of North Korea sending troops to Russia: On October 18, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance could not confirm intelligence from South Korea that North Korea was deploying large-scale troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's spy agency said North Korea had decided to send a "large-scale" military contingent to support Moscow's war in Ukraine, with 1,500 special forces troops already in Russia's Far East undergoing training. South Korea's National Intelligence Service released detailed satellite images showing the first deployment and estimated that North Korea could send a total of about 12,000 troops.

"Even if North Korea is not directly present on the battlefield, it is helping fuel Russia's war against Ukraine in every way possible," the NATO secretary general concluded. (AFP)

Middle East-Africa

*Hamas confirms leader Yahya Sinwar's death: On October 18, the Hamas Islamic movement confirmed that leader Yahya Sinwar was killed by the Israeli army in Gaza, one day after Israel announced Sinwar's death.

“We mourn the death of our great leader, our fallen brother, Yahya Sinwar, Abu Ibrahim,” said Khalil al-Hayya, a Hamas official in Qatar. Hamas will not release the hostages it seized in its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel until the war in Gaza ends, he said, calling on Israel to withdraw from Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Khalil al-Hayya also asserted that Hamas would regain power after the killing of Sinwar, which placed Sinwar in the ranks of “the previous leaders and symbols of the Hamas movement .” (Al Jazeera)

*Australia supports US airstrikes in Yemen: The Australian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the country supported US airstrikes in Yemen on October 17 by allowing US aircraft to fly over northern Australian airspace.

US B-2 bombers have attacked five underground weapons facilities of the Houthi Islamist forces in Yemen. This is the first time the US has used the long-range stealth B-2 aircraft to target this force.

The Australian Department of Defense stressed that this support "is consistent with our long-standing alliance commitment and demonstrates the interoperability of our two militaries."

According to the official news agency ABC , the US aircraft have been refueled in Australian airspace. Reuters previously reported that Australia's Tindal and Darwin air bases are being upgraded to accommodate US bombers and tankers. (Reuters)

*Iran, Russia and Oman navies to hold drills in Indian Ocean: Russian and Omani fleets have joined the Iranian navy in preparations for a maritime exercise hosted by Iran in the Indian Ocean, Iranian state media reported on October 18.

Helicopters and ships of the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) welcomed the Russian and Omani fleets entering Iranian waters.

The exercises, which are set to begin in the coming days, come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with Israel vowing to retaliate against missile strikes carried out by Iran on 1 October in response to Israeli operations against Hezbollah and Hamas. (Al Jazeera)

*Israel calls on Hamas to surrender and release hostages: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on October 17 called on Hamas militants to release hostages and surrender after the movement's leader Yahya Sinwar was killed.

“Sinwar has brought disaster and death to Gaza, he has made you (the people of Gaza) suffer with his murderous acts – his doom has come,” Gallant said. “(Hamas militants) It is time to come out, release the hostages, raise your hands, surrender. Come out with the hostages, free them and surrender.”

Earlier, Israel confirmed that it had killed Hamas leader Sinwar in an Israeli military operation in Gaza. Sinwar was recently appointed as the head of Hamas after the group's leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated last July. (Al Jazeera)

America - Latin America

*US President pledges continued support for Ukraine: US President Joe Biden called on NATO allies to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia, as the US leader made a "farewell" visit to Germany on October 18, just weeks before the US presidential election.

During his visit to Germany, President Biden held talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, before holding four-way talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The United States has been the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its special operation in 2022, followed by Germany.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Biden was solemnly received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who awarded him Germany's highest medal for his support of bilateral and transatlantic relations. (AFP)

*Venezuela arrests 3 US citizens on terrorism charges: On October 17, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said that the country had just arrested 3 more US citizens on terrorism charges, bringing the total number of foreign "mercenaries" detained for their involvement in the plan to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro to 19.

Mr. Cabello did not provide details about the time of the arrest of the “new group of mercenaries,” but said Caracas suspected the three men had links to Spanish and American intelligence.

Last month, Venezuela detained four Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech. The US State Department later confirmed that “a member of the US military” was among those detained. (Reuters)

*Canada provides new military aid package to Ukraine: Canada will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 64.8 million Canadian dollars ($47 million), including small arms, ammunition and protective equipment.

Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said on October 18 that the aid is part of a $500 million Canadian military aid commitment made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in July.

"This aid package provides vital resources to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. Canada will continue to provide its full support," Blair said.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Canada has pledged C$4.5 billion in military aid, affirming its role as one of Kiev's strongest supporters. (Reuters)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-1810-nga-dien-tap-cac-unit-vi-ten-lua-hat-nhan-tong-thong-my-cam-ket-tiep-tuc-ho-tro-ukraine-israel-keu-goi-hamas-dau-hang-290585.html