KIEV (Russia Today) -- Former U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell has condemned Bush's policy towards Iran, urging nuclear talks between the two countries.

The U.S. refusal to negotiate with Iran has only increased tension between the two countries, Powell told university students in Kiev, Ukraine.
""The disagreement that I've had with my government over Iran is that we should talk to Iranians, but they've chosen a different path, President Bush, Ms. Rice, not including me,"" Russia Today quoted him as saying.
The U.S. strongly opposes Iran's access to peaceful nuclear technology despite the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed Tehran's commitment to the Non-proliferation Treaty.
Powell says Iran nuclear row can be solved
Powell expressed hope for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear row, AP reported.
""I think we can handle that one diplomatically,"" Powell said in a keynote speech at a Seoul forum, saying that Tehran appeared determined to move toward having a nuclear program.
His comments came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a veiled warning against any attack on Iran as he began the first visit by a Kremlin leader to Tehran in six decades.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denied the West’s accusation against Iran, saying his country had ""no plans to create this deadly weapon."" Iran says it needs enriched uranium to fuel nuclear reactors that will generate electricity.
Putin also said last week that he had seen no ""objective data"" showing Tehran is trying to construct nuclear weapons.