The UN thank Russia for the fight against international terrorism

The participants in the meeting of heads of special services, security agencies and law enforcement agencies of foreign governments – FSB partners held in Sochi noted the great contribution made by Russian security forces to the fight against international terrorism.

As the most dangerous terrorist threat the intelligence services representatives of many countries named militants trained in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and “hot spots” in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Director of the group of the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Cihangir Khan expressed gratitude to the Russian government.

Putin participated in the FSB final board

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday attended a meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

As the press service of the president said, “at the meeting there were summarized the main results of the operational activities of the FSB in 2013 and identified priorities for 2014.”

Russian President personally oversees all law enforcement agencies and services and have traditionally participated in the annual final meetings of the FSB, which are held in the headquarters of the Service on Lubyanka Street.

Putin held a meeting with the permanent members of the Security Council

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a prompt meeting with the permanent members of the Security Council of Russia, told the presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

Security Council members discussed the development of relations with the countries of Central America and the Caribbean.

Also at the meeting, there was raised a question about the Ukrainian crisis.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Ivanov, State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, his deputy Rashid Nurgaliyev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, head of the FSB Alexander Bortnikov, Foreign Intelligence Service Mikhail Fradkov, as well as a permanent member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Boris Gryzlov.

In Nizhny Novgorod, the first recruiting center of the Ministry of the Interior opens in Russia

Russia’s first recruiting center of the Ministry of the Interior opens on Thursday March 13 in Nizhny Novgorod. It will deal with the selection and training of candidates for service in the internal affairs bodies, told Itar-Tass the press service of the Ministry of the Interior in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

“Everyone who wants to work in the police may turn to the consultants of the center to get clarifications on the requirements for candidates for the service, the specifics of working in different departments of the Interior Ministry, vacancies available and social guarantees for employees. The specialists of the center will give candidates special referrals to personnel departments that citizens will choose for work,”- said the Ministry. 

Iranian Foreign Minister: Iran expects Russia to assist in reaching agreement on the nuclear issue

Iran hopes for Russia’s help in reaching a final agreement on its nuclear program in negotiations of the “six”. This was stated by Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif at a press conference in Tokyo.

“We have very strong relations with Russia based on mutual interests, – said Zarif. – Russia’s role as a member of the “six” has so far been positive, so we are counting on Moscow’s help in reaching a final agreement on our nuclear program.”

The head of the Foreign Ministry once again assured that the nuclear developments of Tehran are peaceful.

Churkin: Russia convened a meeting of the UN Security Council to clarify its position on Ukraine in detail

Russian actions in Ukraine are fully adequate and legitimate, said Monday Russian permanent representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin, speaking at the open meeting of the Security Council.

Russia’s permanent representative reported that President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych appealed to the Russian authorities to use Russian armed forces to uphold the constitutional order in his country.

Churkin quoted Yanukovych’s letter dated March 1. Earlier, talking to reporters, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN said that Russia had convened a meeting of the UN Security Council to clarify its position on the situation in Ukraine.

Putin: Ukraine saw a constitutional coup and armed seizure of power

In Ukraine, there took place a constitutional coup and armed seizure of power. This statement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, Yanukovych is the legitimate president of Ukraine.

The possibility of introducing troops to Ukraine exists, but there is no need in it yet, said Putin. “We believe that if we make a decision, if I decide to use the armed forces, it will be legitimate, fully consistent with the general rules of international law, as we have a legitimate president’s appeal,” – said the president of Russia.

Putin reminded that in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, there are three legal ways to remove the president from his post: death, personal statement of resignation and impeachment.

According to Putin, the Ukrainian people wanted changes, but we should not encourage illegal, unconstitutional actions.

Lavrov: Russia proposes to convene an international meeting on security in the Persian Gulf

Russia proposes to convene an international meeting on security in the Persian Gulf. This was stated by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was speaking at the third round of ministerial strategic dialogue between Russia and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

“We are ready together with our Arab partners to modernize the Russian concept of security in the Persian Gulf, – Lavrov said. – We propose to organize an international meeting for this purpose with the participation of members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members and other interested parties.” 

Russia to support new mission in Afghanistan granting UN Security Council resolution

Russia will provide support to a new mission in Afghanistan if the UN Security Council adopts a corresponding resolution, presidential special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

The new mission, which will work in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force, “will be training of its nature. If the mission is set up based on bilateral agreements between Washington and Kabul, and Brussels and Kabul for example, we have no relevance to this”, said Kabulov, who is also director of the Russian Foreign Ministry 2nd Asia Department.

“If the US and NATO seek to preserve partnership with Russia, they have to submit the issue to the UN Security Council. Without its resolution there are no legal grounds for hoping on Russia’s support,” the Russian high-ranking diplomat said, adding “We want to tell the Western partners that such things should be approved by the UN Security Council.

Talks between the “six” and Iran began at the Vienna office of the UN

The first round of negotiations between the “six” (the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) with Iran to develop a comprehensive agreement started at the Vienna office of the UN. At the conclusion of the morning coordination meeting of the “six” consultations started in the closed format.

The started negotiations at the level of political directors are the first ones after the agreement was reached in Geneva last November. Then they managed to agree that Iran had to reduce temporarily the pace of development of its nuclear program in return for some easing of the sanctions regime. It is planned that temporary arrangements designed for six months will be replaced by a comprehensive agreement.  

The Russian side at the talks is represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, USA – by Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman. As expected, the Viennese round will last for three days, until February, 20.