Russia’s “sole intention is to assist with bringing peace that will benefit both Jews and Arabs,” its president said.
Dmitry Medvedev, speaking Friday at the Valdai Discussion Club, an annual forum of opinion-makers in Moscow, told a reporter from the Israeli daily Ha’aretz that Russia has a different value system and intentions for its involvement in the Middle East than it did during the Soviet era.
An advisor to Medvedev, Oleg Tsatsourine, told Ha’aretz Friday that Russia “will not take any action that might alter the balance of power in the Middle East or compromise Russia’s excellent relations with Israel.”
During his speech, Medvedev also said he opposed a unilateral attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities or a military solution to the crisis.
“The world does not need to tighten its sanctions on Iran at this time,” he told the forum.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
