MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin unambiguously backed the Kyoto Protocol on Tuesday, in his first public comments since his government sent it to the Kremlin- dominated parliament for ratification.
Russian ratification is vital to the environmental pact, which needs the backing of nations responsible for 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. After Washington pulled out in 2001, Moscow's participation is essential to meet targets.
Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin congratulated Putin on the Russian government's recent decision to back the treaty, TASS news agency said.
"I hope that Canada's position and its prime minister's support for Russia's decision to back the protocol will have a positive effect on the upcoming debate in the Russian parliament," Putin said.
Putin does not formally control the Duma, but it is packed with his loyalists and is expected to decide on ratification by the year-end.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
