Thread by @laurnorman

Understand from two sources that Russia @Amb_Ulyanov presented updated non paper yesterday to EU which broadened Moscow’s sanctions guarantee demands in direction that Lavrov spoke of on Saturday. That includes a demand to protect Russian trade with Iran from western sanctions-1-

The paper was not well received. “The paper was rejected out of hand,” said a senior diplomat. “They know it has nothing to do with JCPOA.” -2-

So where does this stand? Sources say a deal could be reached with this issue still hanging over the talks. Could this Russian position mean restoring JCPOA without Russian backing? That gets tricky, former and current officials say. Joint Commission decisions supposed to be -3-

unanimous on most things except dispute resolution. Finding creative solutions is possible but it would involve reopening the JCPOA - something no-one wants to do - and it would take time that everyone says we don’t have. And russia as a spoiler is an uncomfortable idea -4-

Lavrov. Like Banquo's ghost haunting the Palais Coburg dining table.