If Russia now backs tougher Security Council sanctions, China may be reluctant to be the only permanent member of the council to block new measures.
In February, Britain became the only permanent member of the council to back this compromise.
But Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the council, said it was not the time to impose sanctions.
But like-minded countries say that this provision would politicise the court, giving every permanent member of the council a veto over its activities.
Security Council members -- gave the Iraqi proposal a cool reception but Russia, another permanent member of the Security Council, said the avenue should be explored.
In the interim, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the African continent should each have a representative as a permanent member of the Security Council, with veto privilege.
India's desires to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council should also play to Washington's advantage.
Brazil is trying to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
But, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia wants some commercial guarantees for backing the US line.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China could block efforts to pass another resolution authorising the use of force against Saddam Hussein's regime.
President Medvedev has been dismissive of Mr Kudrin's criticism, insisting Russia "cannot avoid defence spending worthy of the Russian Federation, which is not some 'banana republic' but a very large country, a permanent member of the UN Security Council that possesses nuclear weapons".
Meanwhile, the U.S and the Western powers should continue to block Brazil's attempts at playing greater roles in international affairs (including its demands to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council) and treat that country with the suspicion it has earned.
CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: A closer look at Brazil's foreign policy
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, it can veto threatening resolutions, as it did a year ago (just three days before it secured exploration rights to three more offshore blocks near Ramree).
In this day and age, when Britain sometimes struggles to justify its status as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council or as a "major player on the world stage", the medal table may prove to be a more accurate measure of international standing than the size, for example, of the GDP or the armed forces.
"We have absolutely no interest as a country to be competing against another African country for the prestige of sitting on the Security Council as a permanent member... and in the course of that you divide this continent and raise all sorts of tensions which take many many years to deal with" Mr Mbeki said.
"In reality, what's happening here is the United Kingdom is benefiting from its privileged position as a permanent member of the (U.N.) security council, " she said.
Both Russia and France - as two of the five permanent members of the Security Council - have the power to veto the US draft plan, as does permanent member China.
The creation of a permanent "President" of the European Council (which brings together the heads of state and government of all 27 member states) was intended to provide leadership and strategic direction.
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