Chretien was speaking after a senior Russian official delivered a severe blow to hopes for the ratification of Kyoto.

"In its current form, the Kyoto Protocol places significant limitations on the economic growth of Russia," Andrei Illarionov, President Vladimir Putin's chief adviser on economic issues, told reporters in Moscow.

His comments came as delegates from 180 countries met in Milan, Italy, to examine the future of the Kyoto accord, regarded by environmental protection groups as a key instrument in curbing global warming.

"Of course, in its present form, this protocol cannot be ratified," Illarionov said after Putin spoke to a gathering of Russian and European businessmen.

But in Ottawa, Chretien said: "That is not what Mr. Putin told me when I met him."

In any event, Chretien told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting, Canada planned to go ahead with its implementation of Kyoto.

"We have an obligation to the climate situation around the globe," said Chretien.

He claimed that Canada's oil industry and forestry and pulp sectors, which had originally opposed Kyoto, were now on board.

"I believe we have given a very good example by signing on," he insisted.

Asked what would happen if Russia backed out of Kyoto, Chretien said: "I am nearly convinced that Russia will sign on."

Russian ratification of the Kyoto accord is needed to bring it into force worldwide, but since indicating at a world summit in Johannesburg last year that it would probably ratify the deal, Moscow has issued mixed signals on the topic.

With the world's biggest single polluter, the United States, rejecting the accord, the agreement can only take effect under its complex ratification rules after it has been approved by Russia's parliament.

SPACE.WIRE