Russian Deputy Foreign Minister has said that the country cannot agree with sanctions against Iran because sanctions do not work as a rule.
"We do hope very much that Tehran will consider the sextet's proposals in a constructive manner and respond to them positively," Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview on Thursday.
"What worries us is what is happening in this field. This is an extremely complex problem of course. It is also quite politicised. Broad public attention, including that of mass media, political scientists and the public in many countries, has been drawn to it," he said.
"All this objectively does not help find effective and diplomatic compromises. Diplomacy is like an orchid sprout. The slightest waft of an icy wind, and everything withers. But we have to try to nourish and cherish it," the diplomat said.
"We are now facing a situation where Western partners become more and more insistent and firm in raising the question of developing a new sanction resolution of the UN Security Council as the diplomatic process gets nowhere," he said.
"Any sanctions in respect of Iran and the Iranian nuclear programme should pursue the goal of strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. We cannot agree with sanctions that can be interpreted as an attempt to punish the country or its people for some actions or lack thereof. This is not our approach, and we tell this to everybody, including our Western partners," Ryabkov said.
{{/usCountry}}"Any sanctions in respect of Iran and the Iranian nuclear programme should pursue the goal of strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. We cannot agree with sanctions that can be interpreted as an attempt to punish the country or its people for some actions or lack thereof. This is not our approach, and we tell this to everybody, including our Western partners," Ryabkov said.
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