Meanwhile the U.S. holds firm. Both the U.S. and Russia insist that Iraq must abide by all U.N. resolutions before sanctions can be lifted. However, the two countries approach the issue quite differently. A bitter conflict at the U.N. Security Council meeting in New York has pitted the U.S. and England against Iraq, Russia and France. Words are cheap.
Actions are the coin of the realm.
The reasons for this divergence are not hard to find. Russia believes that her vital interests are intimately tied to the Middle East. Therefore, Russia has fostered and maintains close relations with Iraq, Iran and Turkey. Russia believes that the lifting of sanctions would bring an immediate influx of billions of dollars, and a return to the profitable sale of military equipment. Given Russia's current economic conditions, one can well imagine the allure of potential Iraqi repayments and future sales.