MOSCOW - Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz drummed up support Thursday among Russian leaders for ending U.N. trade sanctions imposed on Iraq after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, at the start of talks with Aziz, said: "I hope our dialogues will allow us to move forward, to unblock the situation around Iraq and normalize the situation in the Middle East."

Aziz expressed hope that the two would "exchange views on issues of mutual interest in the spirit of friendship."

The main goal of the visit is to exchange opinions about discussions on the Iraqi issue in the U.N. Security Council, Aziz told reporters in the Russian parliament earlier Thursday. He added that he hoped for Russia's support on the issue.

Russia, Iraq's main trade partner and close ally in the U.N. Security Council, has demanded that the United Nations pursue "a comprehensive settlement" of the sanctions issue - a final decision to lift the sanctions.

But it also reluctantly agreed to a U.S. demand that the Security Council draw up a list of dual-use items, which would require U.N. approval for Iraq to import them.

Some Iraqis fear that Moscow is pressing Baghdad to accept a resolution under which the trade sanctions would be suspended if Iraq allowed U.N. arms inspectors back into the country.

Iraq opposes the return of the U.N. inspectors, calling them "U.S. spies."

The inspectors left the country ahead of U.S.-British strikes on Iraq in 1998 and Baghdad has refused to readmit them. The sanctions cannot be lifted unless the U.N inspectors verify that Baghdad has dismantled its weapons of mass destruction.

Aziz met Thursday with Vladimir Pekhtin, head of the pro-government Unity party in parliament, and with Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov.

Pekhtin said he had assured Aziz that "Russia is deadly against military pressure on Iraq," referring to speculation that the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign could move to Iraq.

Aziz was also to confer with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II, and Defense Ministry officials.

On Wednesday, Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said Baghdad won't change its stance to avoid becoming the next target in the U.S. anti-terrorist campaign.

After leaving Russia, Aziz will travel to China, which like Moscow has veto power on the Security Council and maintains significant trade relations with Iraq.