"(Ratificiation) would indicate Russia's determination to assume all the responsibilities of a great modern country for future generations," Chirac said in the letter, given to Putin by French environment minister Roselyne Bachelot at international conference on climate change in Moscow.

In a blow to supporters of the Kyoto treaty, Putin earlier Monday told the conference that Russia had yet to decide whether it will ratify the landmark environmental pact, which needs Moscow's approval to come into force.

"The Russian government is meticulously examining this question and is studying all of the difficult problems associated with it," Putin said as he opened a five-day conference.

Chirac said "Russia must ratify the protocol for it now to come into force. I therefore want to tell you how much importance France attaches to it."

He said that public opinion would see Russia's ratification as "enhanced legitimacy" for a partnership between Russia and the European Union.

"I see here an essential element for the establishment of the common economic zone that we have decided to create in Saint Petersburg" during and EU-Russia summit in the western Russian city in late May-early-June.

TERRA.WIRE