Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart George W Bush on March 12 agreed to disagree on the use of military force against Iraq, but underscored the need to continue the political dialogue between their countries.

Bush called up Putin on March 12 evening, ahead of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote on US-British sponsored draft of the resolution, authorising use of force against Iraq amid Moscow's threat of veto and Washington's warnings of wrapping up bilateral co-operation in promising sectors.

"It was noted with satisfaction that in spite of retaining by Russia and the USA their known approaches in resolving the Iraq situation, the two sides are sustaining their constant political dialogue," Kremlin press service said after Bush-Putin phone conversation.

"Putin and Bush underscored the fundamental significance of sustaining and developing positive strategic prospectus in Russian-American relations," it said, adding that the telephone conversation of the two Presidents was continuation of regular consultations on the Iraq issue.

No other details of Bush-Putin phone conversation were immediately available.

Bush called up Putin after the US Ambassador in Russia Alexander Vershbow in a press interview cautioned Moscow of negative consequences of its veto in UNSC.

PTI