Moscow: The US Ambassador to Moscow, in a newspaper interview published on March 12, has warned Russia of serious economic and geopolitical consequences if it vetoes a UN resolution authorising war against Iraq.

Alexander Vershbow told the 'Izvestia' daily that Moscow's vetoing of the new resolution could put at risk planned co-operation between the two countries in the energy sector, that would include massive US investment in the Russian oil industry.

Vershbow also indicated that Russia's strategic partnership with the US, forged since the September 11 attacks, as well as co-operation in anti-missile defence could be placed in doubt.

Agencies