"We do not intend to join any sort of ultimatum, which only pushes the situation into a dead end, striking a blow against the authority of the UN Security Council," Putin told Russian diplomats in Moscow in the presence of journalists.

"I am convinced that dialogue and not isolation of one or another state is what leads to resolution of crises," Putin said.

"In the sphere of non-proliferation we consider it effective to work on the political-diplomatic level and to search for compromises on the basis of international law," Putin said.

Russia, a key economic ally of Iran, has consistently resisted Western pressure in the current international impasse over US and European claims that Tehran is using a Russia-backed civilian nuclear programme to mask a secret bomb-making project.

Russia along with the other four permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany are waiting for an Iranian response to offer of talks on trade and other benefits in return for guarantees Iran will not develop atomic weapons.

The United States has not ruled out seeking UN sanctions or even military action should Iran refuse the talks, which come with the precondition that it must first suspend uranium enrichment.