The Kremlin isn't against OAO Rosneft's (ROSN.RS) possible purchase of a stake in BP PLC's (BP) Russian joint venture TNK-BP (TNBP.RS), President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said Tuesday, adding it could be "beneficial for the state" if the state-controlled oil major decides such a deal is beneficial for the company.

"Rosneft is a state-controlled company, but it is a company and should act in the interests of its shareholders," Dmitry Peskov said.

The deal could be good for the state -- as the main shareholder in Rosneft - if the company decides it is beneficial to its shareholders, he added.

His comments are in contrast to those of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, who said Monday the government mustn't expand its direct involvement in the economy, including through the purchase of private companies by state ones.

Mr. Peskov said the Kremlin isn't involved in the process and feels the issue should be decided by shareholders.

"It's obvious the old 50-50 partnership is not working," he said, referring to TNK-BP's share structure, where 50% is held by BP and 50% is held by Russian billionaires, in a consortium known as AAR .

Last month, Vladimir Putin met in Sochi with Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin and top BP executives to discuss the U.K. major's plans in Russia , including the possibility that BP might expand its existing stake in Rosneft.
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