Putin accuses US of protecting ISIS, Moscow receives stockpile of uranium under nuclear deal
Russia's defence ministry claimed the United States is only fighting the Islamic State group in words than might. The claims came after the West denied sharing intelligence information on Moscow's forces. Furthermore, Iran just handed over a stockpile of enriched uranium to Vladimir Putin as part of a nuke deal.
The United States, specifically through Pentagon spokeswoman Michelle Baldanza, explained that they will refuse sharing intelligence with Russia until the country decides to switch strategy. The West wants Moscow to focus more on targeting the Islamic State group as opposed to supporting Assad.
"The hackneyed thesis has once again confirmed that the Pentagon will fight against IS in word only, instead of taking real action," Russia state news agency, TASS, quoted Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
"The statement by the US Defence Department spokesperson Michelle Baldanza about the [US side’s] refusal from any cooperation in the fight against Islamic State is a broken record, and it’s high time to change it," added Konashenkov.
The Russian Defence Ministry added that the new routes go through Iraq's northwestern regions which consequently are in line with the focus of the United States. Konashenkov explained that Russia told Western officials that it is essential not just to talk about the activities of IS in Iraq but rather to target the group’s income flow.
On top of the discussion with the US on IS concerns, Moscow also just acquired a stockpile of uranium from Iran as part of a major initiative under a nuclear agreement. The two countries struck the deal last summer which led to Russian ship carrying nearly all of Iran's stock last Monday. Secretary of State John Kerry announced the shipment which was consequently confirmed by a Rosatom spokesman. The company is known to be Russia’s civilian nuclear company. According to The New York Times, Kerry considered it as “one of the most significant steps Iran has taken toward fulfilling its commitment."