Resolution 1441 does not give anyone the right to an automatic use of force. Russia believes that the Iraqi problem should be regulated by the Security Council, which carries the main responsibility for ensuring international security.

On July 18 President Putin accepted Ivanov's resignation and appointed Valentin Sobolev as acting secretary followed shortly by the appointment of Sergey Lavrov as foreign minister. Minister of Foreign Affairs
He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs on September 11 1998. Resignation
Ivanov was succeeded to the post of foreign minister by Sergey Lavrov in 2004 and appointed by President Vladimir Putin to the post of Secretary of the Security Council.