Russia has been looking to increase its presence on the world's market for nuclear fuel, but has encountered resistance, particularly in the United States.
"We see no equality here and our interests are being infringed upon," he said. "We will seek to make our relations [in this sphere] more balanced so that they correspond to our interests."
Restrictions on imports from Russia of low-enriched uranium have been in force since the Soviet era. Russia is currently allowed to operate on the U.S. market without a 116% import duty only through the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), a special intermediary agent, under the HEU-LEU Conversion program.
The U.S. International Trade Commission voted on July 18 to keep the 116% import duty on Russian uranium products, claiming that the lifting of anti-dumping restrictions would seriously harm the American economy. Putin earlier said Russia opposed U.S. discrimination against its nuclear companies and wanted to supply uranium directly.
Putin, who is currently on a visit to Morocco, also denied allegations that Russia was using its huge energy resources to make other countries dependent on it.
"We are increasing production and the share of energy resources on the world market," he said. "This is a significant contribution to restraining prices and resolving energy problems in general. Concerns [about Russia's use of its resources] have been dreamed up and are caused by the striving to use them in the competitive struggle."
In a speech made in Vilnius in May U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney accused Russia, which has the world's largest natural gas and considerable oil reserves, of using its energy resources to blackmail and intimidate its neighbors.
President Putin also reiterated that Russia had always been a reliable supplier of energy resources.
"We have been and will be for all our partners," he said.
