Russian President Vladimir Putin has underscored his country's friendship with Britain.
But in an exclusive interview with the BBC One's Breakfast with Frost, he also said that Russia would continue to help Iran develop its nuclear programme despite Washington's objections.
Mr Putin is due to travel to Britain this week in the first state visit by a Russian leader since 1874.
He told the BBC that Russia's opposition to the war in Iraq had not damaged ties with Britain, saying that his relationship with Prime Minister Tony Blair was open and friendly.
We believe it is possible to tell each other what we actually think rather than what our diplomats advise us to say, he said.
But he is scheduled to meet for only 30 minutes with Mr Blair on his visit, the BBC's Bridget Kendall says.
Mr Putin told the BBC that Russia will insist that some of the multi-million-dollar contracts Russian oil companies signed with Saddam Hussein's Iraq be honoured.
And he said Russia would not be dissuaded from helping Iran with its nuclear programme by US fears that Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons.
He framed the issue as an economic one.
"We won't let the issue of nuclear proliferation be used to stop Russian companies dealing with Iran," he said.
As in other recent interviews, he refused to be drawn on the question of whether he would run for re-election.
His term ends in less than a year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3010304.stm
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But in an exclusive interview with the BBC One's Breakfast with Frost, he also said that Russia would continue to help Iran develop its nuclear programme despite Washington's objections.
Mr Putin is due to travel to Britain this week in the first state visit by a Russian leader since 1874.
He told the BBC that Russia's opposition to the war in Iraq had not damaged ties with Britain, saying that his relationship with Prime Minister Tony Blair was open and friendly.
We believe it is possible to tell each other what we actually think rather than what our diplomats advise us to say, he said.
But he is scheduled to meet for only 30 minutes with Mr Blair on his visit, the BBC's Bridget Kendall says.
Mr Putin told the BBC that Russia will insist that some of the multi-million-dollar contracts Russian oil companies signed with Saddam Hussein's Iraq be honoured.
And he said Russia would not be dissuaded from helping Iran with its nuclear programme by US fears that Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons.
He framed the issue as an economic one.
"We won't let the issue of nuclear proliferation be used to stop Russian companies dealing with Iran," he said.
As in other recent interviews, he refused to be drawn on the question of whether he would run for re-election.
His term ends in less than a year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3010304.stm
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