Clinton Praises Russia on Iran

Hails cooperation, but no deal on potential new sanctions
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 13, 2009 9:30 AM CDT
Clinton Praises Russia on Iran
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton seen during her meeting with Russia's civil society representatives in Moscow, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The US isn’t seeking further nuclear sanctions against Iran, at least not for now, Hillary Clinton said today, after meeting with her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. The pair professed unity on the Iranian issue, with Clinton praising Russia for its “extremely cooperative” work. Clinton added that if pending talks don’t yield progress, sanctions will be back on the table.

“Our positions coincide,” said Lavrov, though he added that “Threats of sanctions…are, in our opinion, counterproductive.” He said neither the US nor Russia had requested anything of each other with regards to Iran. But a BBC analyst sees things differently: Clinton, he says, surely sought a more tangible commitment from Lavrov, but didn't get one. (More Russia stories.)

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