Fuel swap right step but concerns remain: Russia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomed the nuclear fuel swap deal reached between Iran, Turkey and Brazil as the right step towards solving the Iran problem.

“The Russian President gave a positive assessment to efforts undertaken by Brazil and Turkey to promote a politico-diplomatic solution to the problem of Iran's nuclear programme,” said the Kremlin press service on Tuesday, referring to a telephone conversation Mr. Medvedev had with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva late on Monday.

For fresh consultations

The Russian and Brazilian leaders both noted the need for fresh consultations among the group of six and with all other interested countries, said the Kremlin.

Constructive solution

“Russia will use every opportunity to support the process of joint quest and elaboration of a constructive solution to the Iranian nuclear problem that would satisfy the international community,” Mr. Medvedev told his Brazilian counterpart, according to the Kremlin press service. Earlier on Monday Mr. Medvedev warned that if Iran pursued fuel enrichment despite the swap deal, “international concerns could remain”.

Russia was the moving spirit behind the fuel swap arrangement negotiated in Teheran on Monday. The Brazilian President held talks in Moscow before travelling to Teheran, and Mr. Medvedev held talks with Turkey's leadership during his visit to Ankara last week.