MOSCOW. Sept 30 (Interfax) - Russia believes exterritorial sanctions on Iran in connection with its nuclear program are unacceptable, Russian presidential envoy to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said.
"We are categorically against a situation when unilateral decisions on sanctions, including exterritorial, which undermine the very foundation of further joint actions, are made simultaneously with collective efforts made by the UN Security Council," Churkin said at the UN General Assembly.
The text of Churkin's speech was released on Thursday.
The Russian diplomat reiterated that members of the international community should have solidarity on Iran.
"This practice [of unilateral and exterritorial sanctions], which contradicts international law and has negative political implications, should be ended," he said.
Churkin said the sanctions on Iran are not a goal in themselves.
"The purpose of the sanctions imposed by the Security Council is to show to Iran the need for full cooperation with the IAEA and stimulate the negotiation process," he said.
Churkin has also confirmed Russia's adherence to a peaceful solution of the problem.
"Russia doesn't see a reasonable alternative to political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through constructive dialogue between Iran and the sextet," he said.