Russian President Vladimir Putin (back) gives an interview to Canada's CTV television, Moscow, July 13, 2006. He said any sanctions against Iran would disrupt the latest diplomatic attempts to resolve the standoff over its nuclear issue. -Xinhua/AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin said any sanctions against Iran would disrupt the latest diplomatic attempts to resolve the standoff over its nuclear issue, according to a transcript of a television interview released by the Kremlin yesterday.

"We are not for letting all acquire nuclear weapons or means of delivery," Putin told Canada's CTV television. "We are for finding coordinated decisions all together, including within the framework of the G8," he added.

"If today, without receiving an answer from Iran to the nuclear offer put forward by the six countries, we start to proceed to some sanctions, then we will simply disrupt this positive process that has just begun," Putin said.

The international nuclear package, which was presented to Iranian leaders by European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana on June 6, was designed to lure Iran into suspending uranium enrichment in return for political and economic incentives and nuclear technological assistance.

Representatives of the six countries which have crafted the package for Iran -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- will meet in Paris later on Wednesday. Solana is due to attend the meeting.

Western countries have asked Tehran to respond ahead of this weekend's G8 summit in St Petersburg. Tehran has snubbed the calls, insisting on giving an response in August.

"What will change if we wait three more weeks? I think nothing is likely to change. Therefore no fuss is necessary here," Putin said.

The United States accuses Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under a civilian front, but Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at generating power to meet surging domestic demand.