Russia sees no need for joining the energy embargo against Iran, said Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko in Doha, RIA Novosti reported.
"Russia is a large oil and gas exporter, that does not consume a single ton of Iran's energy, and therefore we do not need to join the embargo, and we also do not have any plans for importing Iranian oil," Shmatko added.
According to Shmatko, it's necessary to avoid politicization of the issues relating to energy.
"Now, in the context of Iran, it's becoming obvious that the solution is of political nature," the minister added.
"In these issues we stand the most neutral position," Shmatko said.
Earlier, the ministers of EU countries adopted additional sanctions against Tehran, but could not agree on a ban on imports of Iranian oil. At the same time the European Union adopted additional sanctions against 179 individuals and institutions associated with the Iranian authorities.
A statement issued after the meeting said the EU will continue to expand sanctions against the Islamic Republic in the financial, transport and energy sectors.
Threat to impose additional sanctions against Tehran began to appear after a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran's nuclear program, which stated that Iran until 2003, has been working at developing nuclear weapons, and such activities may be still conducted today.
The United States and several Western countries suspect Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the coverage of peaceful nuclear energy program. Tehran denies the charges, saying its nuclear program is aimed at meeting the country's electricity needs.
Edited by S. Isayev
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