Putin sees climate deal, but with conditions

By Darya Korsunskaya

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will support a new global climate deal only if major powers also sign up and take into account the role Russia's giant forests play as the lungs of the world, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Monday.

Putin, in his first extensive comments on the climate talks, said Russia was ready to support a deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol at next month's United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Russia, the world's number three emitter of greenhouse gases, is seen as a key player in the talks.

"Yes, we are ready to do this," Putin said when asked by a reporter if Russia would support a deal in Copenhagen.

"We will support the idea of Mr. Rasmussen to have a politically binding agreement at the end of the Copenhagen meeting," said Putin, who was speaking after talks in Moscow with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

But Putin, who many diplomats and citizens believe is the true ruler of Russia despite stepping down as Kremlin chief to become prime minister in May 2008, said two conditions had to be met for Russia's support.

"All countries, especially those with the biggest emissions -- the world's major economies -- must sign this document without exception, otherwise it loses any logic," Putin said.

He added Moscow "will insist that the ability of Russia's forests to absorb carbon dioxide be taken into account."