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Iran prefers diplomacy to war — government

Fatemeh Mohajerani noted that war and diplomacy were two strategies used to preserve dignity and national interests

TEHRAN, February 24. /TASS/. Iran prioritizes diplomatic methods to resolve the situation surrounding its nuclear program, but is prepared to use all available means to defend its national interests, the government spokesperson, Fatemeh Mohajerani, stated in Tuesday.

"Iran prefers diplomacy to war, but war and diplomacy are two strategies used to preserve dignity and national interests. We will use all deterrent means to prevent any miscalculations [by the adversary]," she said at a weekly briefing.

In January, the White House warned that it was seriously considering the possibility of using force against the Islamic Republic. Washington at that time expressed hope that Tehran would return to the negotiating table and conclude a "fair and balanced" deal implying the complete abandonment of nuclear weapons.

On February 17, the second round of talks between Iran and the US on the nuclear issue took place in Geneva with mediation by Oman. Iran’s Foreign Ministry reported that mutual understanding had been reached on a number of issues that could be incorporated into the draft of a future agreement on the nuclear program. Washington stated that the consultations went well, although Tehran is not yet ready to accept several positions outlined by the White House. Israel and the United States had previously insisted that the Islamic Republic renounce not only the development of its nuclear program, but also the production of ballistic missiles and support for pro-Iranian forces in the Middle East. A new round of meetings between Iranian and US delegations is expected to take place on February 26 in Geneva.

EC confirms coordination group meeting on oil supplies

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Putin meets with widows of Russian special forces soldiers in Kremlin

Earlier in the day, the president awarded state awards to Heroes of Russia

Slovakia halts electricity transmission to Ukraine — TV

Slovakia halted electricity supplies to Ukraine in response to it blocking the transit Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline across its territory

NATO expansion must be resolved for Ukraine settlement — Russian MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that unchecked expansion of NATO right up to Russia's borders, including Ukraine, became one of the fundamental causes of the current conflict

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The ministry noted that on February 24, a video conference of the member states of the so-called "coalition of the willing" will be held, chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron

Resolving Ukraine crisis should involve taking Russia’s interests into account — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says "All goals of the special military operation will be achieved"

Attack by Ukrainian Armed Forces leaves 260 settlements in Zaporozhye Region without power

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Germany ready for talks with Russia on Ukraine but will not make concessions — minister

Johann Wadephul says current channels of communication with Moscow are sufficient for the dialogue

US military potential enough for only four or five days of strikes on Iran — newspaper

The newspaper noted that the start of the conflict could result in casualties among US military personnel, which would greatly affect the MAGA electorate

Russia calls on US to immediately release Venezuelan President Maduro — diplomat

Moscow stands firm for respecting Venezuela’s sovereignty and peaceful settlement of all differences, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky said

EU leaders preparing for war with Russia — Hungarian PM

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EU fails to reach compromise on 90-bln-euro loan to Kiev — Kallas

The EU foreign policy chief suggested using Russian frozen assets

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Kiev’s attacks on Russian territory leave 14 civilians dead over week — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that new cases of explosives detonation were registered in the Kherson Region

Japan to explain importance of Sakhalin-2 for energy security to EU, G7 — cabinet

Sakhalin-2 accounts for around 9% of total LNG imports by Japan

EU to impose entry ban on all participants in Russia’s special op — Kallas

The European Union is "working to keep potential hundreds of thousands of former Russian soldiers out of the Schengen area", the EU foreign policy chief said

EU to reduce its mission to Russia to 40 people — Kallas

The European foreign policy chief also announced that the top EU diplomats have failed to agree on the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions by February 24

Ukrainian crisis should not impact China-Europe relations — Chinese MFA

Responding to questions from Western journalists about alleged benefits for Beijing from a prolonged conflict, Mao Ning said that China has never sought to exploit the situation for selfish gain

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Andrey Marochko said that it will facilitate the further liberation of this area

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The blacklist includes two judges, a prosecutor, an investigator, and four heads of correctional colonies and pretrial detention centers

Witkoff, Kushner to travel to Geneva to continue talks with Iran — agency

US and Iranian diplomats have been trying to reach an agreement on the nuclear deal

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The deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council added that he Kiev regime is gradually beginning to realize the position and circumstances it currently faces

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Peter Szijjarto believes it is clear now why Brussels has not held Kiev accountable

EU fails to get US, G7 support for blocking Russian oil supplies — source

A diplomatic source did not exclude "the possibility of Washington imposing its own measures in due time and on its own terms"

Issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO off the table now — US expert

Andrew Napolitano expressed confidence that the current leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, and France, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, would inevitably lose their positions in the foreseeable future

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The building was damaged, the region’s governor, Alexander Bogomaz, said

Special op started timely, prompted by Kiev's Nazi rhetoric — MFA

"The timeliness and propriety of the decision taken by the Russian leadership in 2022 to launch the special military operation are confirmed by the ongoing drift of Kiev-controlled territories into genuine Nazi obscurantism," Maria Zakharova said

Kiev building up forces in southern Konstantinovka fearing Russians’ advance — expert

Andrey Marochko says that a "major battle" is about to take place

Russian forces destroying Ukrainian troops near Verkhnyaya Tersa — expert

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Senators urge investigation into plans by London, Paris to arm Kiev with nuclear weapons

The body also proposed that the UN Security Council, the IAEA , and the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons carry out investigations in accordance with their respective mandates

Europe fears Putin, Witkoff to agree on unfavorable deal for Ukraine — newspaper

According to The Times, the Trump administration's interest in joint business projects with Russia is causing concern in Europe

United States announces exercise with Canada, Denmark in Alaska and Greenland

The drill is scheduled take place from February 23 until March 13

Hungary vetoes EU decision of anti-Russian sanctions, loan to Ukraine

Hungary warned that it would veto these EU decisions because of Ukraine blocking oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline

Nord Stream gas pipelines may resume work with US participation — daily

Washington hopes to expand its control over the energy infrastructure in the region, the newspaper said

Slovakia asks European Commission to inspect Druzhba pipeline — MFA

The Slovak refinery Slovnaft ensures 15% of Ukraine’s oil consumption, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar said, adding that Slovakia supplies electricity to the neighboring country if necessary

Russia condemns US punitive measures against Cuba — diplomat

Dmitry Lyubinsky says US steps drive Cuba "to the edge of an energy crisis"

Ukrainian troops desert their positions due to lack of food, ammunition — military expert

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Russia failed to find alternative to western capital markets in the east — Sberbank CEO

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Air defenses down 27 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions

13 UAVs were destroyed over the Belgorod Region, five over the Sea of Azov, four over the Krasnodar Region, two over the Kursk Region, two over the Republic of Crimea, and one over the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Press review: Geneva talks on Ukraine begin and Epstein case could spark GOP fiasco

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 17th

EU fails to agree on new package of anti-Russian sanctions by February 24

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Vance, intel chief only urge Trump against aiding Zelensky — US analyst

Andrew Napolitano said the Washington establishment is overwhelmingly neoconservative

US defense chief sees space as the most decisive battlefield for upcoming centuries

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Russian troops equipped with communication in special op zone — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that during combat operations, the crews of the unmanned systems troops and artillery units do not use foreign-made communication equipment

Russia to take part in 61st session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

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Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning added that Beijing maintains a principled and clear position on this issue and the country supports all efforts toward achieving peace

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Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that Zelensky's name is mentioned many times in the Epstein case

Russia not disclosing results of Ukraine talks under existing agreement — Medvedev

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According to China’s ambassador for disarmament affairs Shen Jian, Beijing aims to strengthen international cooperation in security matters and enhance global governance in this field

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No casualties have been reported so far

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Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei says a potential visit by IAEA to Iran "requires an agreed concrete procedure"

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The identity of the man is being established

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Epstein files exposed those who invented myths about Russia — diplomat

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Ukraine could go bankrupt by April due to dispute with Hungary — magazine

Mandiner emphasized that in the context of general mobilization, more than a third of Ukraine's budget goes toward financing the army

EU, UK hardest-hit by new US tariffs — Russian presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on an article, which says that Donald Trump’s new global tariffs will most greatly benefit countries that he heavily criticized

Ex-UK Ambassador to US Mandelson arrested over Epstein files — TV

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Generals Moskalik, Sarvarov killed in Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks — General Staff

Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy noted that with the deaths of the generals, the troops "lost true professionals, loyal comrades, and true patriots"

Russia has not invaded Ukraine and will not invade any other country — Lavrov

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Russian Army clears Berestok in Donbass region of Ukrainian troops — expert

Andrey Marochko says Russian fighters are advancing in three sectors

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Any country that wants to "play games with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have ‘Ripped Off’ the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to," the US president said

Russia’s frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov conducts gun practice at Milan 2026 exercise

Russian sailors also practiced anti-submarine warfare missions and joint operations with carrier-based aircraft

Trump reveals his favorite word

The US president said that he loves word "tariff" more than any other word in the dictionary

Russian UAV control unaffected by shutdown of foreign comms terminals — Defense Ministry

A Battlegroup East serviceman, call sign "Maloy," said in a video provided by the Defense Ministry that communication among the troops is stable

UK begins training Ukrainian combat helicopter pilots — Defense Ministry

According to the statement, London will allocate additional 27 million dollars for energy support and the restoration of Ukraine's power grids

Leader of Jalisco Cartel dies en route to hospital — Mexican Defense Ministry

The operation was coordinated with the National Intelligence Center and the prosecutor’s office, with informational support from US authorities, the ministry said

Russia does not threaten Estonia but will do what necessary to ensure security — Kremlin

If Estonia has nuclear weapons aimed at Russia, Moscow will aim its own nuclear weapons at Estonia, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia, Burkina Faso agree to hold intergovernmental commission meeting this summer

The parties have begun forming the national sections of the commission, the Russian Embassy in Burkina Faso said

Ukrainian Armed Forces lose about 1,355 troops over past day

The Russian Armed Forces also struck transport, energy and fuel infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Russian Armed Forces placed second in world's strongest armies list

The compilers of the list recognized the Russian Armed Forces' leadership in self-propelled artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and mines

Press review: India to continue buying Russian oil as US amasses major force near Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 20th

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Nepryaeva's marathon result at Winter Olympic Games annulled for error while changing skis

Darya Nepryaeva covered most of the distance on skis that weren't hers

Russia calls on US to refuse from striking civilian nuclear facilities in Iran — diplomat

Dmitry Lyubinsky says that Moscow is ready to help "to find diplomatic solutions" on Iran's peaceful nuclear program

European Parliament postpones vote on trade deal with US

This is the second such suspension by the European Parliament

Seven Ukrainian aerial targets shot down over Black Sea in Sevastopol — governor

Mikhail Razvozhayev says the city has seen no damage to civilian facilities during the attack

Russia helps secure Venezuela's statehood — MFA

No one would have negotiated with them; they would have been treated, as the West has repeatedly suggested, as those who are on the menu, Maria Zakharova said

British trace visible in case of assassination attempt on General Alexeyev — FSB chief

Alexander Bortnikov noted that the Ukrainian intelligence services were the masterminds

Special military operations forces on front lines firmly stand for Russia — Putin

He also added that competent and courageous actions by the heroes of the special military operation made it possible to plan and carry out offensive operations in the most intense sectors

EU unable to agree on 20th sanctions package at foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels

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Blinken insists Russia may use provocation to justify its aggression in Ukraine

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Iran says Israel’s nuclear arsenal is key obstacle for peace in region

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi once again confirmed that Tehran’s nuclear program has purely peaceful nature

US to withdraw its troops from Syria within one month — TV

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Iraq transfers management of West Qurna-2 oil field to US Chevron

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Ukraine’s budget deficit effectively amounts to around $50 bln

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov argued that even a €90 bln loan from the European Union would not help address this deficit, as the funds would primarily be directed toward military purposes rather than ensuring macrofinancial stability

Russia becomes leading country in unmanned systems — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the UAV industry was created almost "from scratch" by enthusiasts at the beginning of the special military operation, as there had been virtually no prior discussion of drones at that time

Kiev expects further talks on Ukrainian settlement late this week

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FACTBOX: Key details of UK’s new sanctions against Russia

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US meets Russian delegation in Geneva for nuclear arms control talks — Reuters

A US State Department official tells the newswire that the US will meet with a Chinese delegation later on February 24

Two suspects in assassination attempt on President Vucic arrested in Serbia

The suspects have been placed into custody

Ukraine may return to its 1654 borders after special military op ends — expert

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Russian figure skater Gumennik says foreign athletes waiting for Russia’s return

13 Russian athletes participated in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in neutral status

Vucic, Rosatom CEO discuss Serbian companies’ participation in nuclear projects

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Russia’s Investigative Committee confirms traffic policeman killed in Moscow blast

Two policemen are at a hospital. The attacker died at the scene