Russia to Build Two New Nuclear Reactors for Iran
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's warnings to the P5+1 against finalizing a deal on Iran's nuclear program hasn't stopped Russia from signing a contract to build two new nuclear facilities there.
Iran says the International Atomic Energy Agency will be permitted to monitor the construction though Iran has consistently denied access to existing parts of its nuclear facilities to IAEA inspectors.
Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's nuclear program, called the deal "a turning point in the development of relations between our countries," Israel Hayom reported, citing Russian media.
Meanwhile, Russia continues deploying troops and military equipment across Ukraine's border. NATO commander U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove confirmed the deployment, which some say may end the tenuous ceasefire.
"We have seen columns of Russian equipment, primarily Russian tanks, Russian artillery, Russian Air defense systems and Russian combat troops entering Ukraine," U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove said.
Ukraine's defense minister said his country's preparing to defend itself against the Russian invasion.
"The main task I see is to prepare for combat operations. We are doing this. We are readying our reserves," Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said.
The latest deployment follows previous sightings of unmarked trucks and military equipment moving toward areas of Ukraine populated by pro-Russian activists.
Last March, Russia ignored an international outcry and annexed the coveted Crimean Peninsula, with its access to the Black Sea. Pro-Russian separatists vowed that was just the beginning of rebuilding a greater Russia.
Since April, more than 4,000 people have been killed in military confrontations with pro-Russian fighters. Thousands of Ukrainians abandoned their homes for safer surroundings.
At Saturday's G10 summit in Brisbane, some are predicting Putin may have to come up with some answers, though international outcry doesn't appear to faze the Russian leader.
