The warning came as presidents George W. Bush of the United States and Vladimir Putin of Russia wrapped up a two-day summit at Bush's country retreat outside Washington, with the Russian leader saying his country would not help rebuild Iraq without a new UN resolution.

The summit was dominated by nuclear concerns over Iran and North Korea -- two members of Bush's so-called "Axis of Evil," and US attempts to secure international help in Iraq.

But the summit ended with signs of an increasingly strong relationship between the leaders, despite their differences.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion said Putin and Bush had "identified key areas where progress could be made" in the US-Russia partnership, including:

-- Effectively implementing the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, and "continuing efforts to increase transparency and build confidence on strategic issues;

-- Building cooperation between American and Russian military establishments in such areas as counter-terrorism, missile defense and peacekeeping;

-- Deepening cooperation in the battle against HIV-AIDS.

Putin, whose country is helping Iran to build a nuclear reactor, told a joint press conference a "clear but respectful signal" should be sent to Tehran about the need to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over its nuclear facilities.

"Russia has no desire and no plans to contribute in any way to the creation of weapons of mass destruction, either in Iran or any other spot or region in the world," he said.

The United States has accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons and is pressing Russia not to complete an accord on providing the fuel that would allow Iran's first nuclear power plant to go online in 2005.

The IAEA has set an October 31 deadline for Iran to account for its nuclear activities. But the agency has postponed sending a monitoring mission that was to leave Sunday, to give Iran more time to prepare.

Bush said Russia and the United States "share a common goal, and that is to make sure Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapon, or a nuclear weapons programme."

"We also understand that we need to work together to convince Iran to abandon any ambition she may have," Bush added.

The United States says North Korea already has nuclear weapons, but Putin said new diplomatic efforts must be made to entice Pyongyang to end its weapons drive.

Putin said a "priority" must now be made of defusing the heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula caused by the new nuclear crisis and creating "a favourable atmosphere for a constructive dialogue."

He said "Russia believes that ensuring nuclear nonproliferation should be accompanied by extending to North Korea guarantees in the security sphere. We intend to continue our joint work with the United States in resolving this issue."

The United States has so far been reluctant to make a non-aggression pact with the North. But Russia and the United States were among the five nations that held talks with North Korea in Beijing last month on its nuclear programme.

Putin said Russia's contribution to policing and rebuilding Iraq could only be decided after a new UN resolution is passed, which sets out a United Nations role in the war-stricken country now run by a US-led coalition.

Bush insisted he was still "pleased" with the level of international help he is getting in Iraq.

"I recognize that some countries are inhibited from participation because of the lack of a UN resolution. We are working to get a satisfactory resolution out of the United Nations. We spent some time talking about that today."

The US leader was careful to call for an end to hostilities and terrorist attacks in Chechnya.

"Terrorists must be opposed wherever they spread chaos and destruction, including Chechnya," Bush said.

"Vladimir and I had very frank discussions about Iraq. I understood his position. He understood mine, but because we've got a trustworthy relationship, we're able to move beyond any disagreement over a single issue. Plus, I like him. He's a good fellow to spend quality time with," the US leader declared.

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