Medvedev: Russia against expanding nuclear club
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged greater control over nuclear arms, warning radical elements could threaten neighbors and use the weapons to spark large-scale conflict
Moscow: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday urged greater control over nuclear arms, warning radical elements could threaten neighbors and use the weapons to spark large-scale conflict.
At a joint news conference with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmoham Singh, Medvedev indicated that Russia is interested in strict control over nuclear weapons "so that they aren't taken hostage by any kind of radicals" so that they won't be used to start any kind of conflict or even threaten neighbours."
"This touches on all countries. This touches, of course, upon the Iranian nuclear program," and that of other states, Medvedev said without naming any.
Russia has until recently been hesitant in showing support for new US-led sanctions against Iran in response to its defiance of an enrichment ban. But Tehran's intentions announced at the end of November to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants appeared to have tipped the balance in Moscow in favour of tougher trade punishment.
"I'll say it openly: Moscow has no interest in expanding the nuclear club," Medvedev said.
Singh is in Moscow on a three-day visit to strike a number of defense and energy deals worth several billion dollars.
