Britain seeks to end freeze in Russia ties

Britain’s foreign minister yesterday called for a fresh approach to relations with Russia as the two countries tried to move beyond a bitter row over the murder of a Kremlin critic in London.

“It is very important that we do not paper over our differences but we do not allow them to block our cooperation where possible,” David Miliband told reporters at a news briefing after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Relations between Britain and Russia nosedived after the 2006 murder of Alexander Litvinenko with polonium-210, a rare radioactive isotope, blamed by his associates on Russian agents.

Britain has called on Moscow to extradite former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoy to stand trial for the murder.

Russian officials, and Mr Lugovoy, have denied any link to the murder.

Moscow has also ruled out extradition. “Our stance has not changed,” Mr Lavrov said at the briefing with Mr Miliband, who was on the first full visit by a British foreign minister to Moscow since 2004.

He said it was unrealistic for Britain to demand that Russia change its Constitution to permit the extradition of Mr Lugovoy.

But he thanked Mr Miliband for “good, productive talks” and said he hoped the visit would help “move our positions closer”.

Diplomats said the two ministers discussed Iran’s nuclear programme but gave no further details.

Mr Miliband said Russia and Britain wanted a prompt response to a UN-drafted nuclear fuel deal designed to allay western fears Iran is seeking a nuclear bomb. Iran says it is seeking only nuclear power.

Mr Lavrov said Britain had not yet provided the proper documentation about the Litvinenko case, while Mr Miliband said full information had been passed to Russia.

“That information has not been provided in a comprehensive way. Our prosecutors have their own rules to follow and the British colleagues know what sort of material should be presented,” Mr Lavrov said.

“They have sent substantial information to their Russian counterparts,” said Mr Miliband.