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Top Russian, French diplomats discuss Iran nuclear deal, Ukraine over phone

The two top diplomats also pointed to the need for the cessation of hostilities and the relaunching of a political process in Libya without any preconditions

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, discussed over the phone on Tuesday specific steps aimed at preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the outcome of the parliamentary election in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

"[The two ministers] agreed to continue taking specific steps to preserve the JCPOA and ease tensions around Iran," the ministry said.

"The parties exchanged views in detail on the outcome of the parliamentary election in Ukraine," the Russian Foreign Ministry added. "They reaffirmed the need for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements."

The two top diplomats also pointed to the need for the cessation of hostilities and the relaunching of a political process in Libya without any preconditions.

"They discussed a number of bilateral issues, including the schedule of upcoming contacts," the ministry added.

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China vows decisive response to US move to deploy intermediate missiles in Asia-Pacific

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Belarusian KGB reports thwarting attempted drone strikes on Minsk from Lithuania

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US State Department confirms secret shipments of long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev

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US draft on nukes in space seeks to go beyond legal framework Russia adheres to — MFA

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

Waldemar Skrzypczak also said it was "a matter of hours" until Kiev received the weapons allocated by the US as part of its latest military aid package

AUKUS expansion to turn Asia-Pacific region into 'nuclear minefield' — news agency

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Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

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No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

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Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

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Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

Mongolia to enter into free trade agreement with EAEU by year-end

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

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Russian Foreign Ministry denies report of consular services ban abroad

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