Medvedev signals openness to Iran sanctions after talks

[The Minx]

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met Wednesday with U.S. President Barack Obama, then signaled he could support sanctions against Iran over its efforts to develop a nuclear weapon.

"Russia's position is clear: Sanctions rarely lead to productive results, but in some cases sanctions are inevitable," Medvedev said in a joint appearance with Obama after their talks.

The statement bolsters U.S.-led efforts for increased international pressure on Iran to adhere to nonproliferation agreements in pursuing the development of nuclear energy.

Iran claims its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, but the international community accuses the nation of continuing to try to develop nuclear weapons capability.

The United States and Russia previously have disagreed over Iran, and over possible steps the U.N. Security Council may take -- including imposing sanctions -- to push Tehran to comply with U.N. demands concerning its nuclear program.

Medvedev said Wednesday that he and Obama discussed negotiations with Iran, including possible incentives, to help it "make the right decision."

He then opened the door to sanctions, indicating a more unified approach to the issue.

Obama praised Medvedev for what he called an "excellent working relationship" the two have developed.

Iran has been "violating too many of its international commitments," Obama said. He committed himself to negotiating with Iran on the issue, but said "serious sanctions" were a possibility if Iran failed to respond seriously.

Last week, Obama announced that the United States was dropping plans to base a missile defense shield system in Poland and the Czech Republic, a proposal that had rankled Moscow.

Speaking on Sunday's "Face The Nation" on CBS, Obama said his objective in revamping the U.S. defense shield plan "was not to negotiate with the Russians."

"The Russians don't make determinations about what our defense posture is," Obama told CBS.

"If the byproduct of it is that the Russians feel a little less paranoid and are now willing to work more effectively with us to deal with threats like ballistic missiles from Iran or the nuclear development in Iran, you know, then that's a bonus."

More gains from scrapping the missile defense plan, regardless of whether that was the plan or not.