Russia declares end to controversial "farce", NATO corrects statement on nuclear weapons? South Korea restores combat procedures at border

South Korea-North Korea relations, the conflict in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra being prosecuted for lese majeste, Chile-Argentina tensions... are some of the prominent international events of the day.

South Korean (foreground) and North Korean military guard posts in Paju, near the inter-Korean border, in this January 2022 photo. (Source: AP)

Europe

* Moscow has stopped arguing with Australia and the Netherlands over the MH17 plane crash , but is ready to clarify the cause of the crash within the framework of the UN Security Council resolution, according to a statement by the UN. Russian Foreign Ministry.

“We will cease participating in this farce,” the ministry said in a statement.

Russia also said it had provided evidence to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council that it had nothing to do with the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

In March 2022, Australia and the Netherlands filed a joint complaint over the crash of Boeing Flight MH17, accusing Russia of violating a provision of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation that requires Moscow not to use weapons against civilian aircraft in flight. (TASS, Pravda)

* NATO corrects statement on increased nuclear weapons deployment: On June 17, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg affirmed that the military alliance has no plans to increase the number of nuclear weapons, but instead will focus on upgrading and replacing fighter jets.

According to him, NATO has been modernizing in this direction for some time and ensures transparency in the process.

The statement differs from an earlier report by The Telegraph about an exclusive interview with Mr. Stoltenberg, in which the leader said that NATO countries are discussing the possibility of deploying more nuclear warheads and putting them on combat readiness as a deterrent. (NHK, Sputnik)

* Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that he will visit China in the coming weeks, although he has not confirmed a specific date.

She also sent a clear message to Beijing that Rome is open to dialogue, but stressed the value of maintaining open communication while ensuring a level playing field for competition and a free market operating within a fair framework. (Decode 39)

* The second conference on peace for Ukraine may take place in Saudi Arabia, according to Director of the International Security Department of the Swiss Foreign Ministry Gabriel Luchinger.

Saying that Russia should be invited to the conference one way or another, Mr. Luchinger noted that the parties need to take independent steps to organize the next conference on the conflict in Ukraine and in the future “Switzerland will act behind the scenes.” ( Keystone-SDA)

* Russia conducts military exercises in the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of ​​Japan and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk from June 18-28, mobilizing dozens of ships, planes and helicopters of the naval aviation force.

The Russian Pacific Fleet announced that it has begun deploying forces from its home bases to designated areas to conduct exercises under the overall leadership of the Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Viktor Liina.

Sailors will practice anti-submarine skills, organize defense, missile attacks, practice training to repel attacks by aircraft and unmanned warships, and carry out a complex of combat training exercises.

A total of nearly 40 ships, boats and support vessels, about 20 aircraft and helicopters of the naval aviation of the Pacific Fleet took part in the exercise. (TASS)

Asia-Pacific

* Russia and North Korea are likely to sign a new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement: Moscow and Pyongyang unexpectedly announced the schedule of Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to the Northeast Asian country on June 18-19.

According to South Korea's KBS TV on June 18, at this summit, the leaders of Russia and North Korea are likely to sign a "new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement", whose content reflects the world's geopolitical situation and the level of relations between the two countries.

If signed as expected, the document would replace existing bilateral treaties and focus on ensuring greater stability in Northeast Asia.

* The South Korean military has shortened its combat procedures at the inter-Korean border, a military official said on June 18. The move comes after Seoul completely suspended the 2018 Inter-Korean Military Tension Reduction Agreement.

Accordingly, the military's combat process on the ground is shortened from 5 to 4 stages, in the air from 4 to 3 stages, and at sea from 5 to 3 stages. (Yonhap)

* Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited Singapore for 2 days on June 18-19, according to the announcement of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This will be Mr Hun Manet's first visit to Singapore since taking office in August 2023 and comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025. (The Straits Times)

* Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was indicted for lese majeste: According to the Office of the Attorney General of Thailand (OAG), former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared before prosecutors on the morning of June 18 and was taken to the Criminal Court to be charged with lese majeste.

The court accepted the case at 8:56 a.m. on June 18, officially declaring Mr. Thaksin as the defendant. Immediately after the court announced the decision to prosecute, Mr. Thaksin authorized his personal lawyer to file a bail application.

A Thai court has granted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra bail, but he is banned from leaving the country. (Bangkok Post)

* The Korea-Japan-China Trilateral Cooperation Forum took place in Seoul on June 18, with the participation of South Korean Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun, Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming and Japan's top special envoy Mizushima Koichi.

Speaking at the forum, Ms. Kang In-sun emphasized the efforts among the three countries to further strengthen cooperation, calling it an important framework for the development of relations despite many "difficulties".

The role of the three countries is becoming increasingly important at a time when “unilateralism and protectionism are rampant,” said Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming.

For his part, Japan's top envoy to Seoul Mizushima noted the "great potential" in trilateral cooperation, saying that Tokyo, as the next rotating chair of the trilateral summit, will work with Seoul and Beijing to prepare for the upcoming meeting. (Yonhap)

* Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit Malaysia from June 18-20, and is expected to hold talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim to discuss bilateral issues and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

The two leaders will witness the exchange of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements in areas of cooperation, including digital economy, green growth, tourism, housing and urban development, higher education, science and technology, and Malaysia’s agricultural exports to the Chinese market. (The Star)

Middle East-Africa

* Israelis protested in Jerusalem on June 17, calling for new elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Protesters waved Israeli flags and carried banners denouncing Netanyahu's handling of key issues such as pushing through military legislation and leading the war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. (Reuters)

* The US-UK coalition carried out airstrikes on Yemen, specifically in two areas: Hodeidah airport and Kamaran island on June 17.

According to the Houthi movement's main news channel, Al-Masirah TV , US and British forces carried out at least six airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah international airport and four airstrikes on Kamaran Island near the Red Sea port of Salif.

* The African Union has condemned "massacres" in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that left 150 people dead this month.

AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was "horrified to learn of the increasing massacres of innocent civilians" by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in Beni and Lubero in North Kivu province, and strongly condemned the attacks.

Encouraging “the Congolese authorities, in coordination with countries in the region, to intensify efforts to curb the spread of the terrorist threat in the African Great Lakes region,” Mr. Mahamat also reiterated “the AU’s continued commitment to the countries of the Great Lakes region in the fight against terrorism.” (Ahram Online)

America

* Rising tensions over Chile-Argentina border sovereignty: On June 17, Chilean President Gabriel Boric urged Argentina to immediately remove solar panels from a military facility encroaching on Chilean territory.

He affirmed that there should be no “ambiguity” in the demarcation of the border and that this is the “fundamental principle of respecting sovereignty” between the two countries.

The leader declared that if Argentina did not comply with the request soon, Chile would do it itself, expressing his hope that the two neighboring countries would not encounter any "problems." (Buenos Aires Times)

* US-India strengthen cooperation on critical and emerging technologies: On June 17, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval chaired the second meeting to review the implementation of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), launched by the two countries in January 2023.

The two sides shared “determination to prevent the leakage of sensitive and dual-use technologies to relevant countries,” and launched a new strategic semiconductor partnership between businesses of the two countries to produce precision-guided munitions and other electronic components primarily aimed at protecting national security.

The US and India are jointly investing in a lithium project in South America and a rare earth mine in Africa "to diversify the critical mineral supply chain", and have pledged to soon sign a bilateral treaty on critical minerals graphite, gallium and germanium.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of cooperation in the production of ground combat systems. (The White House)

* Canada postpones sending military instructors back to Ukraine: On June 17, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said that the country does not think this is the right time to send military instructors back to Ukraine. (CTV News)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-186-nga-tuyen-bo-cham-dut-mot-tro-he-tranh-cai-nato-sua-loi-ve-vu-khi-nu-nhan-kor-quoc-khoi-phuc-quy-trinh-tac-chien-o-bien-gioi-275432.html