RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin insisted yesterday he would travel to Iran today despite reports about a possible assassination attempt, arguing direct contact and “peaceful means” were the only way to deal with the country’s nuclear program.

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin said yesterday he had ordered the military to resume regular long-range flights of strategic bombers, a show of Russia’s resurgent military power which comes amid a chill in relations with the United States.

Russia may use its strategic bombers to unleash preventive strikes against terrorists outside its borders.

With the UN Security Council bracing for a showdown over Iraq, a top Russian diplomat said today that Moscow continues to oppose any attempt to legitimise war but hinted that it might back a compromise proposal to preserve its warm ties with the United States.

DEAD set in public against a strike on Iraq, veto-wielding Security Council members France and Russia are showing signs they will go with the flow if it comes to war — but Germany may have to stick with its “no”.