Despite Netanyahu pressure, Russia defends Iran missile deal
PM seeks Tehran sanctions; Moscow says no reason to delay sale of air defense system to Iran.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Israel news Iran nuclearOn the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Moscow, senior Russian security officials were speaking out on defense-related issues that have provoked tensions between the two countries.
An hour before Netanyahu's plane took off on Sunday, Russian officials said that Moscow sees no reason to delay the sale of the S-300, a powerful air-defense system, to Iran. In addition, on Friday, Russian intelligence officials leaked comments expressing their displeasure with plans by an Israeli firm to close a major arms deal with Georgia.
"There is a signed contract [for the S-300 missiles] which we must follow through on, but deliveries have not started yet," Vladimir Nazarov, deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council secretary, told Interfax news agency in an interview. "This deal is not restricted by any international sanctions, because we are talking about deliveries of an exclusively defensive weapon."
Nazarov added that a military strike on Iran would be a big mistake and that the problems linked to Tehran's nuclear program must be resolved by diplomatic means only.
"Any military action against Iran will make the situation explode and will have extremely negative consequences for the entire world, including for Russia, which is a neighbor of Iran," he noted.
Israel has expressed concern in the past over Russian plans to sell Iran the S-300 system, which will be used to defend its nuclear installations against a possible attack. During the past two years, both Israel and the United States have pressured Russia not to implement the agreement with Iran, and there may be other opposition, according to sources in the premier's entourage.
Netanyahu is expected to raise the subject of the arms sales to Iran in meetings with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putting. In recent months Russia had promised not to go through with the deal. However, the economic crisis and pressure from the military establishment have resulted in major disagreements within the country's leadership on the issue.
Medvedev recently told President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman that Russia needs the revenue from the deal and suggested that a different buyer be found.
Netanyahu plans to tell his Russian hosts that Moscow must take an active role in halting Iran's nuclear program.
"We will discuss a broad spectrum of issues, first and foremost the Iranian issue," he said. "Israel believes that Iran must come under serious pressure, first very strict sanctions, which Secretary of State [Clinton] described as paralyzing."
Russia's declarations about the S-300 system were also meant to send a message to Israel that it does not approve the resumption of its arms sales to Georgia, which were frozen in August 2008.
According to the Russian government news agency, Itar-Tass, Israel resumed the sale of arms to Georgia and "is no longer limiting itself to the sale of UAVs [drones]," which are perceived to be defensive weapons.
A Russian intelligence source was quoted as saying that a private Israeli firm is providing weapons to the Georgian armed forces .
Specifically, according to the Russian news agency Ropadia, a company registered in Cyprus signed a contract for the delivery of 50,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles, 1,000 RPG launchers, and 20,000 40mm shells for the rocket launchers, in addition to 15,000 assault rifles of different types. The report stated that the arms deal was also carried out through Arsenal, a Bulgarian firm.
Foreign Ministry sources did not confirm the reports, but said that the timing of the leak to Itar-Tass is not coincidental and it appears that certain figures in Russia wish to link the arms sales to Georgia with Israel's demand for a freeze on the S-300 deal to Iran.
Sources at the ministry confirmed that security ties with Georgia were recently resumed, but they involve provision of basic training for the Georgian army by Israeli firms.
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From a strategic POV Chris is right. (and I am not a Jew heater) From a business POV, Russia sells weapons to whomever wants to buy them. I woudn't be surprised if they sell the S300 to Iran and the jammers to Israel. Thats the nature of their business. From the regional balance of power POV if israel sells weapons to Georgia, Armenia and Syria provide a good business opportunity. All sellers and buyers be happy and those who get killed by those weapons cannot say anything.
Thank you Russia!
I did not know the US needs weapons? Hurray to Russia! and thank you!
Chrissy is actually right israel really is of no strategic importance. We have no troops or bases stationed there.Israel plays up the holocaust every chance they get to envoke sympathy. Just remember the middle east jews are the original terrorists, just ask the British
This will be the appropriate retaliation to the Russian blunt actions - and ill notions towards israel, and pro-Iran.
Their government cannot see beyond its own nose. this is why Obama sold out the Polish and all our allies. I think the russians have made an irresponsible decision and I hope Iran turns on them and china
Thanks for confirming I have won the argument, accusing me of being a jew hater proves my point. The fact is Israel blackmailing and bribing of elected officials via AIPAC ensures the continued support of the United States. I wouldn't put to much store in the Chiefs of Staff visit. If it was of any importance I doubt Nutenyahu would have gone to Russia to get on his knees and beg Putin to do his bidding, a week after Meshaal visited Moscow and two week after Abbas.
Russia would arm hers. They delayed the deal as long as Israel delayed arming Georgia. Hardly surprising that Israel wishes to resume arms shipments to Georgia. They have armed every far right or fascist regime since the 1960's. Usually with America's blessing or connivance. El Salvador,Nicaragua,Chile,South Africa,Colombia...the list is long. $$$. Fascists Rule OK!
Georgia is less democratic than Iran, Georgia started a war, while Iran not, Georgia did ethnic cleansing in the first Georgia civilian war, while Iran never did. Georgia is as racist against Russia, as Iran is against Israel. So, in my opinion, just because they are US vassals doesn't qualify them for any special favors. The bottom line : Israel sells arms to Georgia, Russia sells arms to Iran.
Israel's power in influencing the decision making power in Russia is still huge, yet there are cracks in this mechanism recently. Russia feels itself threatened in many fronts mainly by the NATO and this makes them reshape their defense polycies in such a way which is not 100% comforting to Israelis. Israel's Georgian weapon sales deal is a funny and very wrong chess move by Israel, they probably already regret this. All inn all, after Russia said these words, Israel will never be able to attack Iran.
if israel were of no strategic significance, the u.s. chief of staff and the vice president would not be visiting. if the russians do deliver the s-300 i have no doubt that israel will find a way to counter it one way or another.
Threatening a nuclear power with a million strong army is not wise. Russia is moving towards closer ties with Iran to counter American influence in Afghanistan and Iraq. It's called the game and it is about control of oil resources. Israel is a bit player of no strategic importance in the region, only the collective guilt of the western governments to the Holocaust ensures it's continued survival, and as the generation who lived through that dies out even that will disappear. Israel is attempting to cash cheques that it doesn't even possess from a bank that has already been declared bankrupt.
Israeli citizens end up in posts such as Defence minister in Georgia and attacks Russia. Yet Netanyahu thinks he can tell the Russians what they can and cannot do. The current Israeli government is taking this Goy in the Goyim malarky much to seriously.
The damage to their arms industry if they do not deliver on a contract which is signed sealed and paid for would be to high not to. No country on Planet Earth would buy from Russia if it mean't a small tinpot country of 6 million could prevent delivery of those weapons. So the missiles will be delivered sooner rather than later. And what better way of ensuring Netanyahu doesn't fulfill his central election pledge, war with Iran.
Why all this fuss?.Russia needs the "revenues" Their oil business is not enough to feed the hungry and the zillionaires. For cash, every arms dealer, every country, would gladly put their "mama " on the block.How do you think that Iran is getting all it's hardware for the "big one"; and the hell with the neighbors, the UN,and back to the "Peace in our Times" comedy.
The Israelis are demanding Russia not sell Iran defensive weapons, while AIPAC gets our Congress to give Israel our latest offensive weapons nearly for free (billions in military aid, loan guarantees and subsidies) These weapons were illegally used in Lebanon and Gaza, but Iran now has counter measures and millions of troops at the ready. If Israel attacks Iran, it's not going to end well.
Bibi stood up and boasted that he was going to bitch-slap the Russians into doing what Big-Daddy tells 'em to do. Funny, but the Israeli "leadership" have yet to work out that when they leak such pep talks to the local press then the message actually goes out to TWO people: 1) the local audience that it was intended for, and 3) Everyone Else who cares to listen in on the conversation. It appears that Vladimir Nazarov was listening in, ya' Blabbermouth.....
russia's decision to deliver the s-300 missile defence system to iran will only speed up the chances of war in the region. russia should consider very carefully whether it really wants to side with the holocaust denying, fanatical islamic regime of iran.
There is no Russian Prime Minister called "Vladimir Putting". How you can get Putin to become Putting is beyond my understanding...
In Russia's global game, Iran is their card (or just a card they can use against the US), just like Israel is just a card in America's hand. Russia does not think a card in its opponent's hand can tell them which card they should play, and which one they should not.
Why would any sane person think Israel is in a position to pressure Russia to do what Israelis want?
Now we get a second bully in middle east to go along with Hitsrael. Seems like some fun times are coming. All you guys need now is a Pay per View channel so the world can have some good beer and watch you two bozos go at it.
nobody cares one iota about you except the bribed and blackmailed US congress
to Russia, China, Latin America, and the U.S. Israel has weapons coming out of their collective tuchas, and theirs are not defensive. All countries, including Iran, have the right to self-defense. Stick that up your pipe and smoke it. Salaam/Shalom
When push came to shove, both the USA and Israel considered arms sales more important than sanctions. America chose to piss of China and Israel chose to piss off Russia. "Actions Speak Louder than Words." - Theodore Roosevelt
Israel wants Russia to cooperate against Iran, but then it allows arms sales to Georgia. Is it foolishly bold or mad?
Russia is a tyrannical, unstable regime and if Russia succeeds in further destabilizing the region, the result will be an explosive situation in the entire region, including for Israel.
u.s has been been giving selling weapons to isreal to kill arabs for years
Almmost like arming Hitler until 6 1941, I don't get it. But, like my previous post If Israel has to make a few concessions on an arms deal to Georgia, so be it.
Israel should do so. OK so the Russian's have us all over a barrel vis a vis Iran. When Iran does breakdown internally, then Russia will get theirs, but until then.
As the Russians say, there are strictly defensive weapons, and the only effect they can have is to deter an Israeli attack on Iran, which nobody but Israel wants.
Yesterday's news, "Netanyahu to push Russia..." Wonder how Medvedev and Putin will take to Israel's Netanyahu "pushing and pressuring Russia"? Are those naughty Russian oligarchs still hiding out in Israel?