"Certainly, we would favor a quicker reaction and a constructive and detailed discussion," Putin said during an interactive webcast from the Kremlin.

"It would be counterproductive to wait endlessly. But it's even more counterproductive to drive the problem into an impasse and mull the ways of getting out of it afterwards," Putin said.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia -- and Germany offered Iran in mid-June a package of incentives aimed at persuading it to halt nuclear enrichment activities. Tehran has insisted on giving a response in August.

"I would not anticipate events and speak of sanctions. I would concentrate on the proposals Iran has received from the six nations. Russia took part in their drafting, and they are rather constructive," Putin said. "Let us give the professionals a chance to work," he added.

Putin spoke hours before Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani was due to meet European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Brussels for informal discussions. The two are due to explore whether or not Iran is ready to respond to the package of proposals.

The package demands Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities, which lie at the heart of Western fears that Tehran could develop nuclear weapons, in return for economic and political incentives.

Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at generating power to meet surging domestic demand.