MOSCOW, July 14: Russia made no commitment at last week’s Group of Eight summit to back United Nations sanctions on Zimbabwe so it cannot be accused of a U-turn, a senior Russian diplomat said on Monday.

Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe. The US said Moscow had gone back on an agreement days earlier at the G8 summit in Japan to back punitive measures. “There was indeed a discussion on Zimbabwe at the summit,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister told newsmen.—Reuters