Putin warns Europe over Iran, Kosovo ahead of summit with EU leaders in Portugal

Russia's President Vladimir Putin made a new warning to Europe over the Iran nuclear standoff and Kosovo's push for independence ahead of a summit with EU leaders here today.

The European Union had been hoping to patch up differences with Putin at the summit. But the Russian leader outlined sharp differences as he arrived, likening supporters of tough policies against Iran to 'mad people wielding razor blades' and calling for 'patience' on Kosovo's future.

'Why upset the principles of international law by encouraging separatism in Europe?' Putin said in reference to Kosovo after meeting Portugal's President Anibal Cavaco Silva in Lisbon yesterday.

Commenting on new US sanctions against Iran, Putin said: 'Why make the situation worse, bring it to a dead end, threaten sanctions or even military action?'

Western powers suspect that Iran is trying to build up a secret nuclear weapons capability. Iran insists that its nuclear programme is aimed only at producing energy.

Russia is helping to build a reactor in Iran and has gone against most Western powers by opposing tighter UN sanctions against Iran and blocking moves towards independence for Kosovo, a southern Serbian province. More...