Russia says Ukraine turned into 'bargaining chip'; Iraq has tensions with Iran; China 'reassures' Australia

The situation surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, tensions between Iraq and Pakistan with Iran over territorial violations, fighting in the Gaza Strip... are some of the prominent international events in the past 24 hours.

Black smoke rises after an explosion at a fireworks factory in Thailand on the afternoon of January 17. (Source: AFP)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's outstanding international events:

Russia-Ukraine

* Russia intercepted multiple multiple launch rockets (MLRS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Belgorod province, according to the Russian Defense Ministry's announcement on January 17.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Kiev attempted to carry out an attack on targets in the Russian Federation using the above weapons, but Russia intercepted four Czech-made RM-40 Vampire MLRS and two UAVs.

This is the second attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) in the early morning of January 17.

The first attack on Belgorod Oblast and surrounding areas occurred at around 2 a.m. – when the Russian Defense Ministry said it had shot down seven Ukrainian Olkha multiple launch rockets and four UAVs. (TASS)

* US skeptical about reaching ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia: On January 17, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not give a positive assessment of the prospects for a ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev.

“We are always ready and attentive to that, because more than anyone else the Ukrainian people always want this. However, there must be a readiness from the Russian side to participate, to negotiate in good faith, based on the basic principles... of territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence,” Mr. Blinken said.

According to the US official, only when Russia is truly "ready to negotiate on that basis, they will see that the Ukrainians want to do that and they will certainly find support from Washington".

Expressing doubts about President Vladimir Putin's intentions, Secretary of State Blinken also noted that the US had raised with Russia before the military operation what Moscow described as security concerns regarding Ukraine. At that time, Mr. Putin warned against Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (AFP)

* The agreement with the UK makes Ukraine a bargaining chip , according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a security cooperation agreement in Kiev.

Regarding this document, Ms. Zakharova said: "The agreement shows that Ukraine really has no chance to get out of the conflict through negotiations, making Kiev a bargaining chip... and keeping this Eastern European country in the process of joining NATO and opposing Russia at present."

Meanwhile, on the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country and Ukraine are ready to sign a security agreement in the coming weeks according to the agreement made after the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023. (TASS)

* EU leaders confident of finding a solution to provide aid to Ukraine : On January 17, President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen said she was "confident" that the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) will find a solution to provide aid to Ukraine.

The EU has so far been unable to give the green light to a 50 billion euro ($54 billion) aid package to Kiev because of member state Hungary's veto.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden recently agreed on the need to continue providing aid to Kiev as Ukraine enters the third year of its conflict with Russia.

France also announced it would deliver more SCALP long-range cruise missiles along with hundreds of bombs to Kiev. (Reuters)

* The meeting in Davos (Switzerland) on Ukraine is not beneficial to the process of resolving the crisis in this Eastern European country, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova's assessment on January 17.

She believes that a truly comprehensive, just and lasting peaceful solution can only be achieved by returning Ukraine to a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-weapon-free state with full respect for the rights and freedoms of citizens of all nationalities living on its territory.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that his country's military has the upper hand in the nearly two-year conflict with Ukraine, warning that the neighboring country risks being dealt an "irreversible blow" if fighting continues. (Anadolu)

* Ukraine's president does not want to freeze the conflict with Russia, arguing that freezing does not lead to an end to fighting.

According to him, Western leaders need to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and show solidarity and provide more support to Ukraine to ensure Moscow does not gain the upper hand. (Reuters, AFP)

Middle East

* Iraq-Iran tensions : A day after Iran launched a missile attack on the Kurdish city of Erbil in Iraq, on January 17, a source said that Iraqi Prime Minister Masrour Barzani canceled a planned meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Baghdad announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Iran with the United Nations Security Council (UN) and sent a complaint to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, accusing "this attack as a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity" as well as threatening the security of its people.

Iraq also recalled its ambassador to Iran for consultations regarding the attack.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi said: “Iran’s bombing of the Kurds is condemned and categorically rejected. These attacks violate the security agreement with Iran and this agreement can be suspended.”

In response to these new developments, on the same day, January 17, Iraq announced that the Arab League (AL) will hold an emergency meeting, but the specific time is unknown.

Britain and France also condemned Iran's attack, while Russia said it was closely monitoring the situation. (Reuters, Sputnik)

* West Bank, Gaza Strip continue to be attacked: On January 17, the Israeli Army (IDF) announced that it had attacked a group of militants in the Balata refugee area, Nablus city in the West Bank, killing a senior commander of the area.

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera TV reported that heavy artillery and air-to-ground missiles continued to rain down on buildings in the western and northern areas of Gaza City, even though these areas were almost deserted.

* The UN Secretary-General called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, warning that the parties to the conflict in Gaza had "ignored international law, trampled on the Geneva Conventions and even violated the UN Charter".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to begin a process leading to lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians based on a two-state solution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a ceasefire, saying Israel will continue its offensive in Gaza until it defeats Hamas and frees hostages taken in an attack by Hamas gunmen on October 7 last year. (Reuters)

* The risk of the Gaza conflict pushing the Middle East into a dangerous situation is the assessment of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister - Prince Faisal bin Farhan - on January 16.

He expressed Saudi Arabia's concern about tensions in the Red Sea and regional security in general, declaring de-escalation efforts in the Red Sea a top priority.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying the attacks in the Red Sea were linked to the war in Gaza.

Noting that Riyadh does not see any signs that could prevent the conflict and escalation from Israel, Saudi Arabia has set its priority on finding a way to de-escalate and this goal depends on ending the fighting in Gaza. ( Anadolu)

* The EU initially supported the establishment of a Houthi deterrence force in the Red Sea to protect ships from attacks by Houthi rebels.

The aim is for the EU to set up a mission by February 19 at the latest, after which the deterrent force would be put into operation quickly, working with other like-minded partners in the region to prevent disruptions on this key trade route, European diplomats said.

On January 17, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged the EU to make a political decision next week so that the force can become operational as soon as possible.

Diplomats said it was necessary to define the exact rules of engagement beyond patrols and how the operation would fit in with other EU operations off the coast of Somalia and the Strait of Hormuz. (Reuters)

Asia

* Iran-Pakistan tensions: On the morning of January 17, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement accusing neighboring Iran of violating its airspace, "causing the death of two innocent children and injuring three girls", warning of the risk of "serious consequences" and "completely unacceptable".

“The responsibility for the consequences will rest entirely with Iran,” the statement said, stressing that the incident occurred despite the existence of several communication channels between the two countries.

The ministry also announced that it had recalled its ambassador to Iran and not allowed Tehran's envoy to return to Islamabad after the incident.

Iran's Foreign Ministry has yet to comment on Pakistan's allegations.

In response to this new tension, on the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said: "We call on both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that lead to escalation of tensions, and cooperate to maintain peace and stability." (AFP)

* The US, South Korea and Japan will conduct joint naval exercises in the waters south of the Korean Peninsula from January 15-17, according to an announcement by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

"The exercise is aimed at enhancing the three countries' deterrence and response capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats as well as maritime threats," the JCS press release said.

The exercise also focused on responding to maritime security threats, including the transfer of weapons of mass destruction, and enhancing trilateral cooperation in establishing a rules-based international order. (Yonhap)

* China is not seeking military strategy in the Pacific island nations, according to its Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Tian.

Reuters quoted Mr. Tieu Thien on January 17 as saying that Pacific island nations are interested in establishing political relations with Beijing, selling products to the Chinese market and receiving help from this country in terms of infrastructure and maintaining social order.

Stressing that China "does not seek a military strategy", Mr Xiao added that Australia need not worry about Beijing's growing ties in the Pacific Islands region.

* Kuwait forms new government: On January 17, Kuwait formed a new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah.

This is Kuwait's first government since the death of King Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in December 2023.

The new emir, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, is expected to maintain Kuwait's foreign policies, including support for Arab unity in the Gulf, alliances with the West and good relations with Riyadh - a relationship considered a top priority. (Reuters)

* A fireworks factory exploded in central Thailand , 120 km north of Bangkok on the afternoon of January 17. Thai police confirmed that about 20 people were killed in the explosion.

Provincial Governor Suphan Buri said rescuers have not found any survivors. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been briefed on the incident. Authorities are investigating the cause. (Bangkok Post)

Europe

* Russia considers North Korea an important partner and intends to promote relations in all areas, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on January 17.

The above information was provided by Mr. Peskov to the press about the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui on the evening of January 16.

The two sides discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the hottest international issues, but the focus remained on bilateral relations.

During a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Choe Son-hui, Moscow affirmed its support for North Korea at the UN and highly appreciated North Korea's similar stance in supporting Russia's views. (TASS)

* The UK and the US will coordinate their response to biological threats under a new Strategic Dialogue on Biosecurity based on the "One Health" principle, including cooperation in vaccine development, the UK government announced on January 16.

The agreement is driven by the two countries' shared goal of responding to “increasingly diverse and evolving biological threats,” including “future pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, a deliberate attack, as well as threats that could arise from the misuse of biotechnology.”

The new partnership framework includes harmonizing approaches to research and biosurveillance, with one of the commitments being to “facilitate the development of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics.” (Sputnik)

Africa

* Sudan has “frozen” relations with the Intergovernmental Authority on East African Development (IGAD), accusing the organization of violating its sovereignty, according to a statement from the Sudanese Foreign Ministry on January 16.

IGAD has invited Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that has been engaged in an armed confrontation with the Sudanese army for the past nine months, to attend a summit to be held in Uganda on January 18.

Sudan's Foreign Ministry has called the decision to "invite the militia leader" a "dangerous precedent" and a "violation of the IGAD charter." (AFP)

* The UN Security Council has condemned a recent attack on a peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic that left one peacekeeper from Cameroon dead and five others injured.

French Permanent Representative to the UN Nicolas de Riviere, whose country holds the presidency of the UN Security Council in January 2024, issued a statement expressing condolences to the family of the dead soldier, as well as to Cameroon.

Underscoring the gravity of the incident, council members reaffirmed that "attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes" and stressed the obligations of all parties under international humanitarian law.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-171-nga-noi-ukraine-bi-bien-thanh-con-bai-mac-ca-iraq-da-cang-voi-iran-trung-quoc-tran-an-australia-257739.html