Russia appeared to ease its opposition to a new UN resolution on Iraq, following the announcement by its foreign minister that the country was willing to enter "consultations" on the issue.
Today, Mr Igor Ivanov, said: "Russia is always prepared to hold consultations in order to achieve the goal of the swiftest return of international inspectors so they can have the chance to quickly resume their work".
Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN security council with the power to veto any new resolution.
Whether Russia would agree would depend on the discussions and, he added, these had mot even begun. "Whether Russia will be prepared or not depends on when the consultations start. It's too early to talk even about the subject of the discussions."
Previously, Moscow has voiced strong opposition to any new resolution until UN weapons inspections had had a chance to resume.
Nevertheless, Mr Ivanov strongly criticised Britain's 50 page dossier on Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.
"We don't think it pays to undertake a big propaganda campaign around this paper but to await the expert conclusions of the specialists. Only after that can some conclusions be made," he said.
PA