Confusion over Russia's position on Kyoto

Confusion grew over Russia's position on the Kyoto protocol yesterday as the Kremlin and the economy ministry clashed over the landmark environmental treaty, which Moscow can effectively veto.

Kremlin economic adviser Andrei Illarionov said he had spoken for President Vladimir Putin two days ago in calling the pact unacceptable, but the economy ministry reaffirmed a deputy minister's statement that the government intended to ratify it.

Analysts said the conflict meant Putin had not made up his mind over the pact, which aims to cut emissions of the gases that cause global warming, and was unlikely to do so until after presidential elections in March.

"The deputy economy minister is mistaken. He is mistaken in his timing. What he said was the position of the Russian Federation in August," Mr Illarionov told reporters.