Russian MP tells paper energy diplomatic weapon, no cold war

Russia could use energy as a diplomatic weapon rather than to achieve foreign-policy objectives but rejects the idea that a new cold war has started, a senior parliamentarian told a daily Monday.

Russia has been subjected to increasing criticism of its use of mineral reserves – U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney accused it of using energy to blackmail other states in a vitriolic attack in May – but senior officials in Moscow have dismissed the notion.

RIA Novosti