Moscow will not back back European UN resolution draft on Iran

A senior Russian diplomat said today Moscow will not back the European draft resolution on Iran at the UN Security Council, the Interfax news agency reported.

Russia “won’t support it in the shape it is now,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak said, according to Interfax.

The five veto-wielding permanent council members – the US, Russia, China, Britain and France – were expected to discuss the resolution this week at the United Nations.

Both Moscow and Beijing have signalled their opposition to the draft.

The resolution, drafted by Britain, France and Germany, orders all countries to prevent the sale and supply of material and technology that could contribute to Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs.

It imposes a travel ban and freezes the assets of people involved in these programs – and also orders countries to freeze the assets of companies and organisations involved in Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.

While the US indicated it considers the draft too weak, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested it was too strong.