Medvedev criticizes Iran sanctions
US: Russia and the United States should "act collectively" to coax
Iran back to international talks on its nuclear program, Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev told The Wall Street Journal in an interview
published Thursday.
The Journal quoted Medvedev as complaining about additional sanctions
against Iran imposed by the United States and European Union just after
Russia backed a carefully negotiated package of UN sanctions last week.
"A couple of years ago, that would have been impossible," Medvedev
said, referring to Russia's support of the UN sanctions designed to
pressure Tehran to return to talks on its uranium enrichment program.
The EU adopted tighter sanctions against Iran on Thursday, including
measures to block oil and gas investment and curtail its refining and
natural gas capability.
The measures go substantially beyond those approved by the United
Nations on June 10.
The US Treasury on Wednesday also imposed new sanctions on Iran,
blacklisting a state-controlled bank, companies that are fronts for the
state shipping line and more members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Tehran rejects Western allegations that it wants atomic weapons and
says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
In the interview, Medvedev said the United States had nothing to lose
by imposing additional sanctions, as it has no ties with Iran, unlike
Russia and China.
"We didn't agree to this when we discussed the joint resolution at
the U.N.," Medvedev said. "We should act collectively. If we do, we will
have the desired result."
Medvedev was interviewed in St. Petersburg before a state visit to
the United States next week.
President Barack Obama's administration has made a deliberate effort
to improve relations with Russia since Obama took office last year and
has engaged Moscow on a range of issues important to U.S. interests.
The newspaper said the Russian leader also voiced optimism he could
continue to widen cooperation between Russia and the United States and
maintain a "dialogue" he has started with Obama. WASHINGTON, Friday,
Reuters
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