Moscow, 21 September: [passage from start omitted: Putin's comments on a UN resolution on Iraq and on sending troops to Iraq reported earlier]
[Russian President] Vladimir Putin considers the military solution of the Iraq issue to be a mistake, and his position on this has not changed. "The situation in Iraq is the best proof that Russia's position was correct", he said.
He said the leaders of several European countries he had talked to held an even tougher position on Iraq than Russia. "Many told me that there will be no settlement while the Americans and the British remain on Iraqi soil in any capacity", Putin said. However, Russia "accepts that not only is a settlement possible with the presence of American troops, but even that they could lead an operation there", he said.
Putin said France and Germany, who disagree with the USA on Iraq, "don't need Russia to mediate in the search for an acceptable solution".
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