If we’re looking at a mechanism for settling complicated issues such as these, our position is clear: this mechanism exists in the form of the United Nations and its Security Council. There is no other such universal mechanism in the world today. I believe that only through the United Nations can we resolve these kinds of problems, by being patient, working together, taking each other’s interests into account and acting in accordance with international law.

Putin, Press conference, 20 June 2003, answering question about Iraq,

http://archive.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2003/06/20/1712_type82915_47467.shtml