Talks over Iran's nuclear programme are moving forward in Vienna, but Russia's ambassador said that work needs to be done before an agreement is reached.
Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on Twitter that negotiators still had a "whole spectrum of contentious issues that need to be settled".
Iran, the US and EU have been holding talks in Austria’s capital - along with China, Russia and the UK - in the hope of reaching a new deal to lift US sanctions and curb Tehran's nuclear programme.
The Russian envoy said he held a meeting with the EU's Enrique Mora, which focused on ways to move the talks forward and pave the way for an eventual agreement. Mr Ulyanov also met US special envoy on Iran Rob Malley and described the meeting as "pragmatic".
Negotiators have indicated that talks are likely to come to a close by the end of January or early February. All sides in Vienna have over the course of the talks said that time is limited and diplomatic overtures will not be endless.
Iran's lead negotiator Ali Bagheri also met Mr Mora on Monday evening as part of a series of bilateral meetings with the other parties including China and Germany, the UK and France.
US officials in Vienna does not directly negotiate with Iran, but rather the two sides speak through the EU and Russia.
The US has in the past expressed cautious optimism over the progress of the talks but has continued to warn Iran over its demands and conduct outside of the process.
Meanwhile, appetite to reach a deal among the American people is holding strong. A Morning Consult poll released Monday shows the majority of Americans, 56 per cent support talks with Iran and the lifting of sanctions if it would lead to more diplomatic talks.
According to the poll, the majority of Americans also disagree with the decision for the US to exit the deal. Former president Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear accord in 2018 and imposed sanctions on Iran's economy.
His successor, President Joe Biden, has made the Iran nuclear deal a focus of his foreign policy but is facing a tough sell with Congress as midterms in the US draw closer.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
