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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told French President Nicolas Sarkozy Russia would freeze a missile sale to Iran to conform with new sactions adopted by the U.N. Security Council, the Elysee Palace said after a meeting between the two leaders.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Paris, capital of France, June 11, 2010. Putin arrived in France for an official visit on June 10. [Zhang Yuwei/Xinhua]

French media quoted an anonymous official as saying that Russia promised to freeze the delivery of the S-300 surface-to-air missiles.

Russia would have to take responsibility for the breach of the contract, according to the same source.

Sarkozy praised Russia's decision as an "extremely courageous measure."

The two leaders had a working lunch at the Elysee Palace, but Putin left without speaking to reporters.

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday approved a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over suspicions its nuclear program is aimed at developing weapons.

The S-300 air defense system is an advanced mobile system that can shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles from up to 150 km away. The United States and Israel oppose the sale of the missiles to Iran.

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