Russia and Britain take first steps to thaw relationship (Roundup)

Jun 26, 2010, 12:42 GMT

Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and new British Prime Minister David Cameron have agreed to revive the relationship between their two nations after years of tension, the two leaders said Saturday.

Meeting Cameron for the first time at the Group of Eight (G8) summit in Canada, Medvedev said that a 'certain adjustment' in the countries' relations was needed.

Cameron in turn spoke of 'a real opportunity to put the bilateral relationship onto a new footing and try to make a stronger start.'

A statement released by Cameron's office said that the talks in Canada between the two leaders had been 'very productive,' and that the two countries should work more closely together on issues such as the economy, climate change and academic exchange.

Medvedev and Cameron agreed to maintain regular personal contact, while their respective foreign ministers would also be encouraged to work together more closely.

Russian-British relations had been icy under Cameron's predecessor, Labour premier Gordon Brown, particularly since the fatal poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006.

British investigators suspected Russian parliament member Andrei Lugovoi of the murder, but Russia blocked his extradition.

Russia, meanwhile, has demanded that Britain hand over the exiled Russian billionaire and government opponent Boris Berezovsky, who has been sentenced in absentia to a long prison sentence on fraud and embezzlement charges back home.

That dispute led Britain to expel Russian diplomats. Russia soon followed suit, additionally shutting down two branches of the British Council, a cultural and educational organisation affiliated with the British foreign ministry.

The Downing Street statement said that Cameron had raised the Litvinenko issue with Medvedev in Canada.