New developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Middle East amid ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip, maritime security issues and India's actions, etc. are some of the prominent international events in the past 24 hours.
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| Ukraine's attack on the Crimean port city of Feodosia early on December 26 caused several fires. (Source: Social Network X) |
The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights:
Russia-Ukraine
* Ukraine attacks Feodosia port in Crimea: On December 26, the Ukrainian air force said that their pilots attacked Feodosia port at around 2:30 a.m. the same day (local time), destroying the large landing ship Novocherkassk of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
On his Telegram page, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force Mykola Oleshchuk said: "And the fleet in Russia is getting smaller! Thanks to the pilots of the Air Force and everyone who participated...!".
The statement came after Russia-appointed Crimean Governor Sergei Aksyonov said Kiev's attack had caused a fire in the port of Feodosia, but that authorities had brought it under control. (Reuters)
* Russia blocks Ukraine's counterattack, reports damage in Crimea: On December 26, TASS news agency quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying that Russian forces had blocked Ukraine's counterattack and were stepping up operations on all fronts.
The Russian Defense Ministry and officials also said one person was killed, two were injured and the large landing ship Novocherkassk was damaged in the Ukrainian attack on the port city of Feodosia.
According to the ministry, Ukraine used guided missiles launched from aircraft to attack Feodosia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a report on the incident.
* Russia has successfully completed the main goal of the special military operation in 2023 , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on December 26.
Speaking at an online symposium, Mr. Shoigu stated that the main purpose of the special military operation in 2023 is to "break the loud statements of Ukraine and its NATO allies about the counterattack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
* President Zelensky has gradually "realized" that the political path to resolving the conflict in Ukraine is the only one, according to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
“I think the best thing to do to find a solution for Ukraine in 2024 is to work with Kiev somehow more closely, so that they understand that this is the only chance. If they don’t use it, there will be a collapse,” Mr. Lukashenko told reporters in St. Petersburg.
“You could see from Zelensky's press conference that he is beginning to understand,” the leader added. (Belta)
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Eurasia
* India maintains deterrent presence in the Indian Ocean after the MV Chem Pluto was attacked off the country's coast on December 23, according to a statement from the Indian Navy.
The statement issued on the night of December 25 stated: “Considering the recent attacks in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has deployed guided missile destroyers, including INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata... in various areas to maintain deterrent presence.”
The Indian Navy is also investigating the nature of the attack on the MV Chem Pluto and “will need to further analyse the site and technical parameters to determine the attack pattern, including the type and quantity of explosives used”.
Multiple agencies are also conducting a joint investigation into the incident. Initial reports said the attack was carried out using a drone. (Reuters)
* Russia adds three new warships to its navy , with the destroyer Admiral Golovko joining the Northern Fleet, while the small missile ship Naro-Fominsk and the minesweeper Lev Chernavin will serve in the Baltic Fleet.
Attending the flag-raising ceremony of three warships on December 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Admiral Golovko is equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles and was built with some of the most advanced technologies.
Meanwhile, the Naro-Fominsk small missile ship, which Mr. Putin called one of the most successful projects, is capable of carrying out strikes with long-range cruise missiles. In addition, Mr. Putin said that Lev Chernavin is a modern minesweeper with a unique hull.
* China warns the US about the National Defense Authorization Act: On December 26, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the negative content related to Beijing in the US National Defense Authorization Act should not be implemented.
Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said: "If the US decides to implement this act, China will take resolute and forceful measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, rights and security interests."
Earlier, on the evening of December 22, US President Joe Biden signed into law the defense policy bill authorizing a record annual military spending of $886 billion and policies such as aid to Ukraine and containing China in the Indo-Pacific. (Reuters)
* South Korea tightens export controls to Russia, Belarus: On December 26, South Korean officials said that Seoul significantly expanded the list of restricted items for export to Russia and Belarus in response to Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, effective from 2024.
South Korea has added 682 items related to heavy construction equipment, rechargeable batteries, aircraft parts, machinery and other items to the list of banned shipments to Russia and Belarus, bringing the total number of items on the list to 1,159 from the current 798, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. (Yonhap)
* The Eurasian Economic Union sets out its development orientation until 2045: On December 25, at a meeting in St. Petersburg (Russia), leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) adopted a statement on strengthening the development of the union.
According to the Kremlin's announcement, at the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the statement outlined specific measures to strengthen joint efforts in key areas and identified additional areas of cooperation, including the climate agenda, health and tourism.
According to him, in the first nine months of 2023, trade between the five EAEU countries increased by 8.9%. Since its establishment, trade between EAEU members has nearly doubled, with the bloc's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion.
Earlier in the day, the EAEU and representatives of the Iranian government signed a comprehensive free trade agreement, replacing the interim agreement that took effect in 2019. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in mining, education, health and other areas.
The EAEU comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. From January 1, 2024, Armenia will take over the rotating EAEU presidency from Russia for a one-year term. (TASS)
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Middle East - Africa
* UK receives reports of two explosions near ships off Yemen : On 26 December, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received two reports of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) sighting and subsequent two explosions near a ship, approximately 50 miles west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
The UKMTO said the ship had contacted coalition forces operating in the area and reported that the ship and its crew were safe. The ship has confirmed to the UKMTO that it will continue its journey. (Reuters)
* US attacks military positions in Iraq, Baghdad is not happy: On December 25, an airbase in the semi-autonomous Northern Kurdistan Region of Iraq - where US-led coalition forces are stationed near Erbil airport - was attacked by a bomb-carrying drone.
An armed group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the recent attack, which left three US servicemen injured, one of whom is in critical condition.
The Pentagon said the US military carried out retaliatory strikes in Iraq that same day, but faced criticism from Baghdad.
The US retaliation killed one Iraqi soldier and wounded 18 others, prompting Baghdad to say the incident had damaged relations between the two countries. (Reuters)
* Israel sets conditions for peace in Gaza: According to the Times of Israel newspaper on December 26, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set three "prerequisites for peace" in Gaza: "destroy Hamas, demilitarize Gaza, and deradicalize the entire Palestinian society."
According to Mr. Netanyahu, to achieve these goals, it is necessary to establish a temporary security zone around Gaza and a control mechanism on the border between this area and Egypt to meet Israel's security needs and prevent arms smuggling.
Declaring that the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip would "not stop anytime soon", Prime Minister Netanyahu stated: "We would not have succeeded in freeing more than 100 hostages without military pressure. And we would not have succeeded in freeing all the hostages without military pressure."
Meanwhile, the Israeli Ministry of Finance released a report on the same day stating that Israel's military campaign against the Hamas Islamist movement in the Gaza Strip will cost at least NIS 50 billion (USD 14 billion) more in 2024, causing the country's budget deficit to increase nearly three times compared to the set target.
* The Arab Parliament will hold a special session on support for Gaza on December 28 at the Arab League Secretariat in the Egyptian capital Cairo. The session is part of the Arab League's ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian cause.
The Arab Parliament stressed that the continuous efforts at all levels and in all forums are aimed at supporting the Palestinian cause, most notably the right to establish an independent Palestinian state.
The special session will take place after a December 27 meeting of the Palestinian Committee of the Arab Parliament to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza Strip.
* Niger suspends cooperation with the international Francophone organization, confirmed by Niger's military leadership.
"The government of Niger calls on the African people to liberate their minds and promote their own languages, in line with the ideas of the founders of Pan-Africanism," the statement from the Niger military government stressed.
Last week, the international Francophone organization suspended most of its cooperation with Niger due to the coup in July, but said it would maintain programs that "directly benefit the population and contribute to the restoration of democracy." (Reuters)
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America
* US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Mexico for immigration talks on December 27, leading a delegation of officials including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
US officials will meet with host President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, with a focus on discussing the unprecedented irregular migration across the two countries' border.
Earlier, on December 21, President Obrador and his US counterpart Joe Biden had a phone call, in which they agreed that it was urgent to implement additional measures to reopen important border crossings.
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