MOSCOW -- Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz arrived in Moscow on Wednesday on a three-day visit in which Russia is expected to put pressure on Baghdad to allow UN weapons inspectors to return to Iraq, Interfax agency reported.

Aziz will hold talks with top Kremlin officials on easing international sanctions on Iraq in exchange for cooperation with the United Nations, diplomatic sources quoted by Interfax said.

The Russian foreign ministry and the Iraqi embassy in Moscow declined to comment on the visit, Reuters reported.

Russia, Iraq's closest ally on the UN Security Council, wants sanctions against Iraq eased once inspectors are allowed into the country.

Moscow hopes that scrapping the sanctions would help it recoup billions of dollars of Soviet-era debt.

Kosachyov estimates Russia has lost $30 billion during the decade of sanctions.

Aziz, arriving from the Syrian capital Damascus, is expected to remain in Moscow three days before flying to Beijing.