The Kremlin names no specific dates when
"In this particular case the questions of contracts - whether or not a new S-300 deal will have to be concluded - is a matter to be decided or discussed by the contracting parties, if need be," Russian presidential press-secretary Dmitry Peskov told the media.
"In general one can state this: from the legal standpoint no more restrictions apply following the signing of the decree (permitting the supplies),"
"I cannot say anything about the dates. I just do not know," he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree on lifting the ban on supplies of S-300 air defense systems to
Why did Russia lift the ban?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday Russia's voluntary embargo on deliveries of S-300 missile systems to Iran is no longer needed due to progress in the resolution of the situation around Iran's nuclear program.
"Initially, the decision to suspend the implementation of the contract, which was already signed and came into force, was made in September 2010," he recalled. "It was done in the interests of support for consolidated efforts of the six international negotiators to stimulate a maximally constructive process of talks on settlement of the situation around
The minister particularly stressed that "it was done absolutely voluntarily."
"Resolution 1929 of the Security Council, which was approved in 2010, just like any other UN resolutions did not impose any restrictions on deliveries of air defense weapons to
This year, Lavrov continued, the six international negotiators, after a regular round of talks with
"The P5+1 stated progress in the settlement of
The P5+1 is the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the
"This result was in many respects achieved because the six international negotiators worked in a consolidated manner on political settlement of the serious problem," he said. "We are convinced that at this stage, there's no more need of such an embargo,
"S-300 is an air defense missile system, which is of a purely defensive nature. It is not designed for attacks and will not put at risk the security of any regional state, including
"Meanwhile, for
"This is in particular proven by an alarmingly fast development of events in the past week of the military situation around
"We see no more necessity in doing that, taking into account progress in the talks on settlement of the Iranian nuclear program and an absolutely legitimate nature of this forthcoming deal," he said.
Source: tass.ru Photo: tass.ru