Russia, a major opponent of the US-led invasion of Iraq, said on Saturday more work was needed by UN Security Council members to win approval for a revised resolution on Iraq's future.
The appeal by the country's top Iraq expert jarred with assurances by US President George W. Bush, on a visit to Italy, that the resolution would be adopted soon.
Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov told Interfax news agency changes in the resolution giving Iraq's new leaders the right to send home US-led troops met Russia's reservations, but the document still required further discussion.
"The revised resolution certainly takes account of concerns expressed by Russia and other Security Council members and offers concessions in terms of its content," Fedotov said.
But he added: "So far we cannot say that it satisfies us entirely. We therefore believe further work is vital to reach agreement."
Fedotov said the main issue was the effect the resolution would have on the situation in Iraq and whether it would "lead to significant improvement". Russia is pursuing "intensive consultations" with other Council members, he said.
Russia opposed last year's US-led invasion of Iraq to topple President Saddam Hussein, along with France, also a permanent Security Council member.
Both insist that the interim government taking office on June 30 be given full powers to run Iraq.
The new text submitted on Friday requires a Security Council resolution for a pullout of US troops before early 2006.