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US climate negotiator Harlan Watson meanwhile said Washington was "indifferent" as to whether Russia signs the Kyoto protocol limiting green house gases, since the United States will in any case not change its policy.
"We're not trying to encourage or discourage Russia or any other nation with regard to the Kyoto protocol.. we made our choice based on international circumstances and it's up to each country to decide what to do," he said.
The US official said that Europe and America remained at odds over the "precautionary principle" -- that of agreeing to take action to head off a problem, without necessarily having all the evidence.
"The European view I believe is that .. you should not use lack of knowledge of science of a particular issue to prevent you from taking action," he told reporters in Brussels.
"We would also agree to that in a sense, but .. the question is how much knowledge do you need before you decide to act," he said, adding that Europe wanted "to take more drastic steps early on in the absence of scientific knowledge."
The United States, the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions, has rejected the Kyoto protocol, which it says is defective as it does not require developing nations to cut their emissions.
"We're not questioning the science of climate change, we're questioning how well we know things," said Watson.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Moscow remained undecided on whether to sign Kyoto, but insisted he would make up his mind "in line with its national interests."
Pressed for his views on Russia's decision whether or not to sign Kyoto, Watson said: "We're indifferent. We're doing what we're doing, we're going to continue what we're doing whether or not Kyoto enters into force."
He acknowledged that Moscow could be using the Kyoto issue as a lever in other political negotiations. "That's certainly a possibility," he told reporters.
"It may involve other issues other than the (Kyoto) protocol.. it may involve other political issues," he said.
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