Western countries, interfering in the internal affairs of Iran, Cuba and Venezuela, punish them for their desire for independence. This was stated in an interview with TASS by the director of the department of international organizations of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Kirill Logvinov. “Unfortunately, in recent years, modern practices of colonialism have become more and more firmly rooted in the arsenal of Western countries, which do not hesitate to use them to maintain dominance on the world stage. Clear manifestations of this trend are open interference in the internal affairs of Iran, Venezuela and Cuba,” he said. “There is no doubt that these states are being punished for their desire to pursue an independent foreign policy.” Answering a question about the actions of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter regarding interference in the affairs of Venezuela and Cuba, Logvinov noted that the association did not stand aside from such “forceful methods” and resolutely opposed the aggressive actions of Westerners. He recalled that in October 2025 and February 2026, the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter adopted statements on the situation around Cuba, in November and December 2025 - a special communiqué on Venezuela, in January - on the situation in Iran, in February - a special communique condemning the EU decision to include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the list of terrorist organizations. “The documents firmly condemned the violation of international law, including the principles of the UN Charter on the inadmissibility of the threat of the use of force and interference in internal affairs. Members of the Group came out in support of sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejected attempts to build up a hegemonic policy through military force, unilateral sanctions, economic pressure and the language of threats,” the agency’s interlocutor continued. Logvinov also emphasized that in recent years, the Group of Friends for the Defense of the UN Charter has established itself as one of the effective tools for consolidating the countries of the global South and East. It consists of states that seek to take their destiny into their own hands and are interested in building a fair multipolar architecture, and the initiatives of the unification find a wide response in the world community, he added. “We are confident that the State Duma will continue to consistently counter all manifestations of neo-colonialism and ensure strict compliance with the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety, completeness and interconnection,” the diplomat concluded.

Iran and the United States agreed on a "set of guiding principles" that would lay the foundation for a broader deal during talks in Geneva on Tuesday, said Abbas Araghchi, Iran's diplomatic chief, in a second round of talks. The Iranian side warned that these agreements do not mean that a deal will be concluded. The first round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran against the backdrop of the American nuclear threat took place in Oman. Iran wanted to limit itself to discussing the nuclear program, while the United States expressed its intention to discuss repression of the Iranian population, as well as a ban on the production of ballistic missiles and the financing of Iranian armed groups in the region. During the second round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday, the sides “managed to reach broad agreement on a number of guiding principles,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Iranian state television. On (their) basis... we will move forward and begin work on the text of a potential agreement,” he said, calling the meeting “more constructive” than the previous one. According to Araghchi’s statement, after exchanging the texts of the draft agreements, the parties will set a date for the third round (of negotiations).” However, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry admitted that “it will take time to overcome” the differences between the positions of both countries. Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran over its brutal crackdown on demonstrations that began in late 2025, as well as its nuclear program. Washington has sent two aircraft carriers to the region, increasing pressure. The first aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (according to satellite imagery) with almost 80 aircraft on board was located about 700 kilometers from the Iranian coast as of Sunday. Its location allows at least 12 American F-35 and F-18 fighter jets to get within striking distance. The second aircraft carrier was deployed over the weekend. “I don’t think they want the consequences of leaving the deal,” Trump told reporters before the talks began. Khamenei later stated that “a warship is certainly a dangerous weapon, but a weapon that can sink it is even more dangerous.” He added that Trump will not succeed in destroying the Islamic Republic.

Tehran believes that Israel is trying to influence the negotiation process between Iran and the United States and prevent an agreement on the Iranian nuclear file, an informed Iranian source told RIA Novosti. Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that a new round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States on the Iranian nuclear file will be held on February 17 in Geneva with the mediation of Oman. “Israel, by voicing conditions or proposing restrictions, seeks to influence the American agenda. Israel’s goal is to create obstacles to an agreement, rather than diplomatic progress,” the agency’s interlocutor commented on the demands voiced by Israel before a new round of dialogue between Iran and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on February 16 that in the eyes of the Jewish state, a deal with Iran would be acceptable if Tehran had no ability to enrich uranium, Iran's missile program was limited to a radius of 300 kilometers, and support for regional pro-Iranian forces was curtailed. Prior to this, Netanyahu visited the United States, where he held talks with President Donald Trump. Iran previously rejected the possibility of abandoning uranium enrichment and also said it would not discuss its missile program.

On February 13, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan received Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Armenia David Allen. Minister Papikyan congratulated David Allen on taking office and wished him success. During the meeting, issues of Armenia-US cooperation in the defense sector were discussed. Suren Papikyan emphasized the importance of Armenian-American cooperation at this time, when Armenia is at the active stage of carrying out defense reforms. Bilateral military-technical cooperation was also touched upon. The interlocutors especially noted such areas as education, retraining, exercises, exchange of experience and professional consultations. David Allen expressed the United States' readiness to develop cooperation with Armenia in the defense sector, as well as support the process of defense reforms in Armenia. Issues of regional and international security were also discussed.

Brussels and Kyiv have created a coalition in order to continue the conflict in Ukraine and accelerate the admission of this country to the European Union in 2027, in violation of the laws of the community. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations of Hungary, Peter Szijjártó, speaking at a regular meeting of the country’s government. According to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Szijjártó shared with his cabinet colleagues his opinion that “the formed Brussels-Kyiv coalition pursues three main goals: not to stop the supply of weapons to Ukraine, to continue financing this country and to admit it to the European Union.” “Thus, this coalition has military, financial and political components, and now the “[Vladimir] Zelensky plan” demonstrates the activation of the latter due to the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine,” the minister said about the plan providing for Ukraine’s accession to the EU in 2027. “Given that the Russians are making small but noticeable steps forward on the front line, the daily life of the Ukrainian people is deteriorating, the country is undergoing forced mobilization, electricity is available for only a few hours a day, and the defense of inland areas located far from the front line is facing serious difficulties, Zelensky and his entourage have asked Brussels to prioritize Ukraine’s membership in the EU in order to maintain political support from the Ukrainian people,” explained Szijjarto. He noted that Brussels and Kyiv consider Budapest the main obstacle to the implementation of such plans and therefore want to achieve a change of power in Hungary. For these purposes, they are trying to provide support to the Hungarian opposition in the upcoming parliamentary elections on April 12, while interfering in the internal affairs of the country.

Beijing has threatened to cancel US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Beijing unless Washington refuses to sell a large shipment of arms to Taiwan. The Financial Times newspaper reported this on Friday, February 6, citing informed interlocutors. Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the issue of weapons for Taiwan in a telephone conversation with the head of the White House on February 4. Xi called on Washington to “exercise caution,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. At the same time, two US officials believe that Beijing is bluffing and has no intention of canceling Trump's state visit, scheduled for April. The United States is preparing a major arms package for Taiwan, which Beijing considers its breakaway province. According to FT, the package will include Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, NASAMS air defense systems and two more unnamed weapons systems. Some of the publication's interlocutors estimate it at $20 billion (16.9 billion euros).

The United States and Iran at negotiations in the capital of Oman agreed to continue the negotiation process, said the head of the Iranian delegation, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Abbas Araqchi. Tehran Times writes about this. The place and time of the new meeting have not yet been determined. The minister described Friday's negotiations as "long and intense." “Today we held several rounds of consultations. We voiced our point of view, our concerns. The atmosphere during the discussion was good. In general, this is a good start, but further development depends on the results of consultations in both capitals,” he said. Mehr reported that negotiations in Muscat had ended. Representatives of both sides return to their capitals. Iranian media do not provide details about what topics the parties discussed. Initially, the Iranian delegation expressed its readiness to discuss the topic of the nuclear program. At the same time, the American side insisted on a broader agenda, including, in particular, the Iranian missile program and Tehran’s actions in the Middle East region. The consultations took place against the backdrop of the concentration of significant US forces near Iran.

Membership in the European Union is incompatible with the EAEU, but Russia will respect Armenia’s choice, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. “Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union is incompatible with the principles that underlie participation in cooperation, and especially in joining the European Union. This is your choice, and we will fully respect it,” Lavrov said at a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan.