Lavrov. Expressed his protest
Photo: AFP
Clinton laying foundations for sanctions
Photo: AFP
Russia: Toughening Iran sanctions unwise
Foreign Minister Lavrov visits Washington for first time since Obama administration took office, tells American counterpart that Moscow is interested in pressuring Tehran, but believes aggravating punitive action would not be a clever move
WASHINGTON – Forty-eight hours after calling off his participation at a NATO conference, the Russian foreign minister arrived in Washington for the first time since the new American administration took office, and met with US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The US and its European allies are trying to advance another round of economic sanctions on Iran, in a bid to discourage the Islamic republic from moving forward with its nuclear program.
Sergey Lavrov expressed his government's opposition to toughening Security Council sanctions against Iran, and criticized the United States for imposing harsher sanctions outside the United Nations.
Missile Crisis
Rebuffing key argument of President Obama on whether to go ahead with European missile shield, Moscow's ambassador to Washington says Iranian threat is a myth
During his meeting with Clinton, the Russian minister addressed the sensitive issue, saying that "it's not so simple. There are joint decisions which were adopted at the Security Council and they bind all the countries in the world to act in a certain way and meet certain demands."
Clinton and Lavrov in Washington (Photo: AFP)
But he also expressed protest. "Alongside this there are also unilateral sanctions by the US and the European Union, which go beyond the Security Council's resolutions in terms of Iran. We don't believe this is helpful."
Lavrov clarified that the Kremlin was sticking to the agreement reached between the five Security Council powers and Germany during their meeting in London. "Iran hasn't objected to these proposals and has its own offers which we are willing to discuss."
The Russian foreign minister stated during the Washington talks, "I never said we were against any pressure on Iran. In fact, I explained that we do not view tough sanctions as a wise move. However, in terms of pressure, we are in favor of pressuring Iran to return to the negotiating table."
The American secretary of state said in response that the US was laying the foundation for reasons for tougher sanctions. She added that proposals had been made to Tehran, but that her country was still very much on the alert.
