Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov informed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone call on Monday that Russia was launching systematic strikes on facilities in Kiev used by the Ukrainian military, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
According to the ministry, Lavrov conveyed the message to Rubio on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the strikes were a response to alleged Ukrainian attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure on Russian territory.
Lavrov also noted an earlier foreign ministry statement, recommending that the United States, along with foreign diplomatic missions, ensure the evacuation of diplomatic personnel and other citizens from the Ukrainian capital.
The two sides exchanged views on diplomatic initiatives related to the Strait of Hormuz and the situation surrounding Cuba, the ministry said. Lavrov and Rubio also reaffirmed their intention to intensify efforts to normalize the operation of U.S. and Russian diplomatic missions on each other's territories despite existing disagreements, according to the statement.
Lavrov informs Rubio of Russia's strikes on military facilities in Kiev
Iran will strive to protect its national interests during talks with the United States despite the difficulties caused by the U.S. contradictory positions, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.
He made the remarks at a weekly press conference while commenting on the latest progress related to Pakistan-mediated talks between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the war.
It is correct to say that Iran and the U.S. have reached a conclusion on a major part of the issues under discussion, Baghaei said, while adding that "to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim."
The spokesman said this is due to several reasons, including "the U.S. frequent changing of its positions and views, which disrupts any dialogue."
"We are faced with different, often contradictory views from the U.S. often within a few hours, and this makes any dialogue problematic. Nevertheless, we will act with authority in the field of diplomacy, just as we did on the battlefield. With open eyes and taking into account previous experiences, we will strive to protect Iran's national interests," said Baghaei.
Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting. Following the truce, the two sides held one round of peace talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to yield an agreement.
Over the past weeks, the two sides reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for peace through Pakistan's mediation.
Iran to protect national interests in talks with U.S.: spokesman
