Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George W. Bush agreed today to work towards a solution to the Iraq crisis, taking into account "the interests of the international community", the Kremlin said.
"During a discussion on Iraq, both sides expressed the intention to step up work within the UN Security Council with the aim of working out a plan of action to take account of the interests of the world community," a Kremlin statement said.
The statement said a telephone conversation had taken place at the request of Washington.
A US-backed draft resolution aimed at authorising the use of force against Iraq was submitted to the Security Council this week. But Mr Putin said yesterday that Russia could not back any resolution that could allow for hostilities to be start.
Russia has backed an alternative plan, promoted by France and Germany, proposing that an additional four months be given to inspectors searching Iraqi sites for weapons of mass destruction.