Israel tries to make Russia approve sanctions against Iran

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Lavrov believe that the question of sanctions turns the whole problem inside out

A delegation of Israeli officials has left for Moscow on January 17 to conduct negotiation on the nuclear problem of Iran. The Israeli delegation hopes to convince Russia to change its stance on the matter, Haaretz wrote.

Israel's National Security Council head Giora Eiland and Atomic Energy Commission Director Gen. Gideon Frank are expected to hold talks with their Russian counterparts today. When the officials finish the talks, they will head to London. Israel tries to make the Russian administration not to raise objections to sending the Iranian dossier to the UN Security Council.

Russian President Putin has recently stated that Russia's position was very close to the one of the USA which demands the Iranian dossier should be sent to the UN Security Council as soon as possible. Putin added after yesterday's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Russia would like to use a chance and come to a compromise with Iran.

Russian, American, British, French, Chinese and German officials gathered in London on Monday in an attempt to develop a single approach to Iran's nuclear program. The talks ended without any results.

In the meantime, the head of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, expressed his protest regarding a possible use of sanctions against Iran. “Imposing sanctions is not the best and the only way to solve problems. We remember the history of sanctions against Iraq and we know how the story ended,” Itar-Tass quoted Sergei Lavrov as saying.

”The question of sanctions turns the whole problem inside out. We must do everything possible to obtain as much information as possible about Iran's nuclear programs within the framework of the IAEA. Iran in its turn must do a lot more than it has already done by now. Our joint efforts should be aimed at finding answers to all questions of IAEA inspectors. We must preserve the non-proliferation regime,” Lavrov added at a press conference.

”Russia intends to act accurately in terms of the Iranian nuclear issue. We will not be making any abrupt movements that may aggravate the situation. Russia will be ready for the urgent meeting of IAEA directors on February 2-3 to discuss possible measures in connection with Iran's nuclear activities,” the Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia said.

”Russia, China and all other constant members of the UN Security Council share the same position. Guaranteeing the non-proliferation regime is the prime goal for all of us at this point. If everyone continues to pursue this goal, we will find a solution to this problem. Political problems should not be involved in the process, Sergei Lavrov said.

Discuss this article on Pravda.Ru English Forum