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MOSCOW - Russia's parliament is urging the Kremlin to consider recognizing the independence of two separatist regions in neighbouring Georgia.

It escalates Moscow's campaign to keep the former Soviet republic out of NATO.

The State Duma, which overwhelmingly adopted the non-binding declaration, is dominated by President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party and would not have passed the measure if the Kremlin opposed it.

While the statement is certain to draw protests from Georgia, its adoption is unlikely to lead to swift Russian recognition of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

Russia has opposed the eastward expansion of NATO, which now includes the former Soviet satellites in Europe and the ex-Soviet Baltic states. Moscow appears determined to prevent Georgia from joining the Western alliance.

There appears to be disagreement within the alliance over whether to give Georgia and Ukraine roadmaps to membership at a summit next month.

U.S. President Bush assured Georgia's pro-Western President Mikhail Saakashvili this week that the U.S. would press to grant Georgia a "membership action plan." Former Soviet bloc nations wary of Russia also favour that. But the German chancellor recently signalled her opposition, arguing against membership for countries "entangled in regional conflicts."

The Duma said Russia must protect the residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia - most of whom have been granted Russian citizenship - against Saakashvili's push for NATO membership.