MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Russia's presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to confirm or to deny the information that Vladimir Putin had offered Lukoil oil major to take part in privatization of Rosneft.

"I don’t comment on it," he told reporters.

On Wednesday, Vedomosti newspaper reported that Vladimir Putin had suggested Lukoil participate in Rosneft’s privatization. The conversation took place on October 31 in the Astrakhan region. Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov assured earlier that he would not take part in the planned privatization.

"Putin invited Alekperov to his car. They drove for about 20 minutes from the plant Astrakhan Shipyard to the regional administration," the newspaper said. It did not say how Alekperov reacted to the offer.