European foreign ministers meet in Kiev, Russian airport delays flights again due to 'flying objects'

Russia believes that the US and Europe will be tired of conflict, Ukraine is cautious about the results of the Slovakian election... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna (left) and her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock speak at a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine on October 2. (Source: Reuters)

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

* Moscow airports delayed due to “unidentified flying objects”: According to data from the Yandex Schedules service, on the morning of October 2, 23 flights were delayed and canceled at Moscow’s capital airports. Of these, 2 flights were delayed at Vnukovo airport and 6 were canceled, along with 9 flights delayed at Domodedovo airport, 5 flights delayed at Sheremetyevo airport and another flight canceled.

Earlier, the “Carpet” plan was announced at Moscow’s Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports. The plan is issued “upon detection of unidentified flying objects or intruders.” The announcement means closing the airspace to all aircraft except military and rescue aircraft.

In another development, the Telegram “Mash” page reported that at around 10 a.m. on October 1, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) attempted to attack the Smolensk aviation plant with four UJ-22 Airborne unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). One UAV crashed on the concrete floor near workshop No. 63 and exploded. Later, two more UAVs crashed near workshop No. 55, damaging the roof.

All four UAVs were shot down by Russian air defenses or electronic warfare (EW) systems. (TASS)

* Russia : US and Europe will get tired of the Ukraine conflict : On October 2, commenting on the US Congress' decision to pass a temporary funding bill that does not include an aid package for Kiev, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia believes that conflict fatigue will increase in the US and Europe.

Despite this, the Moscow representative said that Washington would still be “directly involved” in the conflict. But he predicted that fatigue would lead to what he called a division of views on the conflict. (Reuters)

* Russia appreciates Latin America's stance on the Ukraine issue : On October 2, on the sidelines of the Russia-Latin America conference, answering a question about the thoughts of countries in the continent on Russia's stance on the Ukraine conflict, Director of the Latin American Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Alexander Shchetinin replied: "Latin American countries and political forces present here all show interest in pursuing an independent policy. This is the key. Whenever this stance is independent, they are good partners for dialogue, for developing common ground. We appreciate those who have come here."

Mr. Shchetinin stressed that most of Russia's Latin American friends and partners "are well aware of their national interests," adding that Moscow "will engage in dialogue with them, develop common ground, a common vision of the processes in the world today, both economic, financial and political." (TASS)

* EU foreign ministers' meeting in Kiev: On October 2, standing next to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized: "It is a historic event because for the first time the foreign affairs council will meet outside its current borders, outside the EU's borders, but inside the future borders of the EU."

Earlier, Mr. Borrell announced the convening of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in the Ukrainian capital. The official emphasized: “We are here to express solidarity and support of the people. Ukraine’s future lies in the EU.”

On October 2, a spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry announced that the country's Foreign Minister, Ms. Annalena Baerbock, arrived in the capital Kiev to begin a visit to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, speaking in the capital of the Eastern European country, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna commented: “It is a demonstration of our firm and long-term support for Ukraine until it wins. It is also a message to Russia that Moscow should not expect us to be ‘tired’. We will continue to support Ukraine for a long time to come.”

In related news, commenting on the US Congress passing a temporary funding bill that did not include aid to Ukraine, Mr. Kuleba emphasized: “We do not feel that US support has been reduced... because the US understands that what is at stake in Ukraine is much greater than Ukraine: the stability and predictability of the world. Therefore, I believe that we will be able to find the necessary solution.”

He said Kiev had discussed the bill with Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Washington and that the uproar over the bill, which would have avoided a government shutdown on September 30, was an “incident” rather than a systemic problem. (AFP/Reuters)

* Turkey considers supplying UAVs to Ukraine : On October 2, in an interview with RFE/RL (Russia), Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykarm Company, which produces Bayrakhtar UAVs, emphasized: “For Bayraktar Akinci, this issue is being considered. We have a license from the (Turkish) Government for this. That shows that we are getting closer to implementation.”

According to him, the company is investing $100 million in Ukraine. Earlier, on September 29, at the First International Defense Industry Forum in Kiev, Bayraktar said it would build a UAV factory in Ukraine in the next 18 months. Baykarm's director explained that in addition to building a factory, the Turkish manufacturing company will spend money on a service center and main office in Ukraine (TASS)

* China calls on US to facilitate dialogue : On October 2, the country's Foreign Ministry said: "We hope the US will meet (us) halfway and do more things that are beneficial to China-US dialogue. China has always valued two-way relations on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation." The statement came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week wished the Chinese people "peace, happiness and prosperity" ahead of the Asian nation's National Day holiday.

Bilateral communications have increased in recent months, bringing an improvement in relations that have been strained for years over Taiwan, Covid-19 and allegations of Chinese spying. (Reuters)

Southeast Asia

* Philippines and the West begin military exercises in the South China Sea : On October 2, forces from the Philippines, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States began a two-week joint naval exercise called “Sama Sama” in Philippine waters, with a scale of up to 1,800 people. In addition, five ships, two from the United States and the rest from Britain, Canada and Japan, participated in the exercise. The navies of Australia, France, Indonesia and New Zealand also participated by sending observers and experts.

This year’s exercise, held in southern Luzon, includes naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense and search and rescue. “With its show of force and the active participation of our allies and partners, ‘Sama Sama’ goes beyond mere military exercises. It is a symbol of our longstanding partnership and our shared commitment to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci said in his opening remarks.

For his part, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, Commander of the US Navy's 7th Fleet, said: "It is important that all nations have the right to sail and operate in the West Philippine Sea, free from...coercion or intimidation." Notably, the exercise comes after China last week blocked Filipino fishermen from accessing the Beijing-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. (Reuters)

* Malaysia likely to reshuffle Cabinet soon : On October 1, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the country may reshuffle its Cabinet “soon”. One reason for the reshuffle is to fill the position of Internal Trade and Cost of Living Minister after his predecessor Salahuddin Ayub passed away in July.

Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he would “think about” the matter. He leads a government made up of his coalition, the one-time rival United Malays National Organisation, East Malaysian parties and smaller parties. (Bernama)

Northeast Asia

* Japan, Germany negotiate logistics exchange : On October 2, Nikkei (Japan) reported that Japan will start formal negotiations with Germany on an agreement that will allow the armed forces of the two countries to exchange fuel and other supplies, facilitating joint exercises. According to a source from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the Acquisition and Acquisition Support Agreement (ACSA) "will not only contribute to Japan's security but also help both Japan and Germany contribute more actively to the peace and security of the international community."

The plan to discuss the necessary legal framework was confirmed last year at a 2+2 meeting between foreign and defense officials from the two countries. The ministry said Japan wanted to conclude negotiations with Germany as soon as possible. Last year, the two countries' air forces conducted their first joint exercise in the airspace around Japan.

Japan has signed similar ACSAs with other countries, including the US, Australia, France, Britain and India. (Reuters)

* North Korea : IAEA is “ US mouthpiece ”: On October 2, an anonymous spokesman for the North Korean Ministry of Nuclear Energy criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for participating in the US-led pressure campaign and “fabricating” a resolution on Pyongyang’s nuclear programs. The KCNA news agency (North Korea) quoted this person as saying: “The tricks of the hostile forces have exposed their sinister intention to cover up their criminal acts that seriously threaten the world’s nuclear non-proliferation system and justify their hostile policy toward the DPRK.”

The spokesman also accused IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of “taking the lead in creating an atmosphere of pressure on North Korea” by “spreading a false narrative” about an impending nuclear test.

In addition, the North Korean spokesman said that if the IAEA wants to avoid international criticism, as a “paid trumpeter” for the United States, the organization should devote itself to solving the difficulties facing the international community, referring to the US’s anti-proliferation of nuclear weapons and Japan’s discharge of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea.

The IAEA has not had access to North Korea since Pyongyang expelled its inspectors in 2009 and then restarted nuclear testing. (KCNA)

* Ukraine: Too early to assess the impact of Slovakia's election : Speaking on October 2 ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Kiev, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: "Ukraine respects the choice of the Slovak people. I think it is too early to assess how this election will impact support for Ukraine. We have to wait until the coalition is formed in Slovakia."

Earlier, Robert Fico, whose Social Democratic Party (Smer-SD) won the election on September 30, had been preparing for coalition talks on forming a government. Many believe that under this hard-line politician, Slovakia could join Hungary in opposing EU military aid to Ukraine. (Reuters)

* Moldova will not buy Russian gas : On October 2, Moldovan Energy Minister Viktor Parlikov affirmed: "We will not buy natural gas from Gazprom for the territories controlled by constitutional bodies". He explained that the country has been buying fuel from the European market "at lower prices".

Earlier, at the end of October 2021, the Moldovan government and Gazprom agreed to extend the contract for gas supplies to Moldova for another five years. During the negotiations, Gazprom offered a 25% discount to Chisinau, but demanded Chisinau pay a fuel debt of $709 million. At that time, Gazprom's official representative Sergey Kupriyanov announced that Moldova's debt was $433 million, but taking into account late payments, the total amount was $709 million.

For her part, Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilitsa said the country did not recognize the debt. In early September, Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced the results of an audit of the country's debt to Gazprom and said the auditing company could not identify the debt. (Reuters)

* Serbia denies reports of increased troops along the border with Kosovo : On October 1, writing on Instagram , Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic declared: “A campaign of lies… has been launched against our Serbia. They have lied a lot about the presence of military forces… In fact, they feel uncomfortable that Serbia has what they describe as sophisticated weapons.”

Earlier on September 30, Kosovo said it was monitoring Serbian military activity from “three different directions” and called on Belgrade to withdraw its troops and demilitarize the border area. Earlier this week, the US and EU also expressed concern over what they said was an increased troop deployment on the border between Serbia and the former Serbian province and called on Belgrade to reduce the size of its military forces there.

In related news, on October 1, NATO said it would deploy 600 British troops to Kosovo to bolster its presence. NATO spokesman Dylan White said: “The UK is deploying around 200 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment to join the 400 British troops already exercising in Kosovo, with additional reinforcements from other allies.”

He said the decision was made after a violent attack on Kosovo police on September 24 and the increased tension in the region. The NATO spokesman also called on Belgrade and the Kosovo government to remain calm and resume dialogue as soon as possible because this is the only way to achieve lasting peace. (AP)

* UN votes to deploy foreign police in Haiti: On October 2 (local time) in New York, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will vote to approve the deployment of foreign police in Haiti and authorize the use of force to fight violent gangs that have flooded the capital Port-au-Prince.

Haiti had asked for international assistance nearly a year earlier. Last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that a multinational police force “using substantial force,” including military hardware, was needed to restore law and order and disarm gangs.

It is unclear how China and Russia, which have veto power along with the US, France and Britain, will vote on the Washington-drafted resolution, but diplomats say they are wary of allowing unfettered use of force and imposing a UN arms embargo on all gangs.

Haitians, meanwhile, are wary of the UN presence. The Caribbean nation was cholera-free until 2010, when UN peacekeepers dumped contaminated sewage into a river. More than 9,000 of the 800,000 people infected died from the disease. (Reuters)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-210-ngoai-truong-chau-au-hop-o-kiev-san-bay-nga-lai-hoan-chuyen-vi-vat-the-bay-244554.html