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Iran's nuclear program

Review: Iran-P5+1 talks in Vienna

The three-day round in Vienna focused almost entirely on outlining topics and issues that stall progress on the way to the final agreement

© EPA/HERBERT NEUBAUER

VIENNA, February 21. /ITAR-TASS/. Iran and the P5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) ended a round of talks in Vienna on Thursday, February 20. It was the first meeting at the level of political directors after the agreement reached in Geneva last November, which diplomats dubbed “the first steps” towards closing the Iranian nuclear file. These steps are first because the joint plan of action approved in Geneva covers only a six-month period that ends July 20, 2014. The results of the Vienna talks indicate that the sides recognize the complexity and scope of the tasks they are facing but do not expect the dialogue to be easy. And yet they are prepared to take the next step.

Coordination Round

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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West, Kiev indulge in nuclear blackmail by demanding control of ZNPP — Russian MFA

"Without noticing it themselves, they spoke the language of an ultimatum," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underlined

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

Funding will be provided from the federal, regional and local budgets, as well as taxes from gambling transferred to the organizer

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Situation in Iran’s Isfahan stabilizes after drone attack — media

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Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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At the same time, the top Russian diplomat pointed out that "there is information that not only French mercenaries, but also instructors, maybe even together, but along with some other representatives of military and special services of European countries are working there [in Ukraine]"

Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister said Kiev required US-made Patriot systems and Italian-French Samp-T theatre antimissile systems

Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that Switzerland is on board with all Western sanctions

Kremlin declines to comment on alleged assassination attempt on Zelensky in Poland

The Security Service of Ukraine announced earlier that in a joint operation with law enforcement agencies in Ukraine and Poland it thwarted an attempt to assassinate Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky

Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

The agency said it and the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine informed their Polish counterparts about the alleged assassination attempt

Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

EU plans to invest first profits from Russian assets in military aid to Kiev

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Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

Iran says drones downed over Isfahan launched from country's territory

"A failed attack with a few quadcopters that were shot down cannot be considered a real attack anywhere in the world," a spokesman for Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace said

Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

Viktor Orban noted that there should be a buffer zone between NATO and Russia and Ukraine could serve as one

No foreign state attacks Iran — TV

Earlier, the media reported, citing a US official, that Israel had launched a missile strike on a site in Iranian territory

Zelensky's formula should be put aside for Ukraine talks, Lavrov says

"One should clearly support the need to seek solutions that take into account the balance of security interests and ensure the indivisibility of security," the top Russian diplomat underlined

French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported