WASHINGTON READY FOR DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN
Washington is ready for direct talks with Iran on a nuclear deal, said Jonathan Finer, the US Deputy First National Security Adviser, at an online conference on the Biden administration’s nuclear policy. The official, however, added that the United States and Iran still have disagreements over what it means to adhere to the provisions of the nuclear deal.
PENTAGON HEAD ON STABLE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin spoke of a desire to have stable, predictable relations with Moscow after meeting with NATO defense ministers in Brussels. The US Secretary of Defense also reaffirmed the United States' firm commitment to NATO and Washington’s broad support for the European Union and Taiwan.
ONE OF AL-QAEDA HEADS KILLED
The United States has carried out an air strike on one of the leaders of Al Qaeda in Syria. A statement from US Central Command said Washington had carried out a drone strike. According to the American side, the senior leader of Al-Qaeda Abdul Hamid al-Matar was killed.
RUSSIAN AND CHINESE WARSHIPS HAD JOINT PATROL
Russian Navy and Chinese naval warships for the first time conducted a joint patrol in the Pacific Ocean. A statement from Russia's Defense Ministry said the patrol lasted seven days.
RUSSIAN-MOLDOVA NEGOTIATIONS END IN VAIN
The Russian-Moldovan talks on gas supply ended in failure. The talks were held in Moscow. The Moldovan side was represented by Deputy Prime Ministers Vladislav Kulminski, Andrei Spinu, the Russian side by Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian President, and representatives of Gazprom. According to reports, Moscow offered the market a gas price with an additional 25% discount, and the Moldovan side insisted that the gas price for Moldova be twice lower than the market price. The source of the agency noted that the only condition presented by the Russian side for such a discount was that Moldova must repay the debt of about $ 700 million for gas supplied in previous years, not counting Transnistria. As the talks did not yield results, it is possible that the gas supply from Russia to Moldova will be completely stopped from November 1.
EU TO IMPOSE NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST BELARUS
The European Union will impose new sanctions on Belarus. The reason is the emergence of a migration crisis on the EU-Belarus border. A joint statement from EU leaders said the union would impose restrictive measures on individuals and legal entities. According to the EU leadership, Belarus sends illegal immigrants to EU countries, and attempts to use immigrants for political purposes are unacceptable.
