Times Online UK
Vladimir Putin brushed off efforts today by President Sarkozy of France to persuade Russia to be more co-operative in its dealings with the world. He notably stuck to his refusal to put more pressure on Iran over its nuclear plans.
Mr Sarkozy, on a two-day “tough-love” mission to Moscow, was visibly embarrassed when the Russian President failed to share in his upbeat account of the rapport that the pair had struck together at a private dinner at Mr Putin’s home.
Talking in formal, deadpan tones in the white and blue splendour of The Catherine Hall in the Kremlin, Mr Putin said nothing to substantiate Mr Sarkozy’s claim last night of a Russian change of heart over Iran. “We do not have information that Iran is trying to create a nuclear weapon,” Mr Putin said. “We operate on the principle that Iran does not have those plans. But she share in the concerns of our partners.”
Iran had already co-operated with the United Nations and Russia would continue to co-operate with the UN, Mr Putin said. The remarks amounted to a straight putdown for Mr Sarkozy, after he had indicated yesterday that the Russian leader was now amenable to joining the US-French push for more sanctions against Tehran.
Mr Sarkozy, 52, had made Iran the focus of a trip to forge a more realistic Franco-Russian link after seven years of unquestioning friendship between Mr Putin and Jacques Chirac. He also sought, and failed, to obtain a shift in Russian opposition to independence for the Serbian province of Kosovo......
No comments:
Post a Comment