Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in London, where he is expected to discuss the situation in Syria with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists on August 1 that the Russian leader, who traveled to London for the first time in nine years, will reiterate Russia's position on the Syrian conflict -- waiting "for one more possibility to continue dialogue."
He said Putin and Cameron also would "exchange views on bilateral relations" -- including prospects for developing trade, economic and energy cooperation and investment opportunities.
Putin attended the Olympic judo tournament while in London. He watched Russia's Tagir Khaibulaev beat the defending champion Tuvshinbayar Naidan of Mongolia to win the men's under-100 kilograms title.
Pop Stars Demand Fair Trial For Pussy Riot
In related news, a group of British musicians, including Pete Townshend and the members of the pop group Pet Shop Boys, have used Putin's visit to London to urge that he ensures a fair trial for punk collective Pussy Riot.
In a letter published in "The Times" newspaper, 12 musicians called the charges against three female members of Pussy Riot "preposterous."
Other signatories included Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos, Johnny Marr of The Smiths, and folk singer Corinne Bailey Rae.
The trial of the three women, who face up to seven years in jail for an anti-Putin performance in a Moscow church, began Monday.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina were all arrested in March and charged with hooliganism and insulting the feelings of Orthodox Christians.
Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists on August 1 that the Russian leader, who traveled to London for the first time in nine years, will reiterate Russia's position on the Syrian conflict -- waiting "for one more possibility to continue dialogue."
He said Putin and Cameron also would "exchange views on bilateral relations" -- including prospects for developing trade, economic and energy cooperation and investment opportunities.
Putin attended the Olympic judo tournament while in London. He watched Russia's Tagir Khaibulaev beat the defending champion Tuvshinbayar Naidan of Mongolia to win the men's under-100 kilograms title.
Pop Stars Demand Fair Trial For Pussy Riot
In related news, a group of British musicians, including Pete Townshend and the members of the pop group Pet Shop Boys, have used Putin's visit to London to urge that he ensures a fair trial for punk collective Pussy Riot.
In a letter published in "The Times" newspaper, 12 musicians called the charges against three female members of Pussy Riot "preposterous."
Other signatories included Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos, Johnny Marr of The Smiths, and folk singer Corinne Bailey Rae.
The trial of the three women, who face up to seven years in jail for an anti-Putin performance in a Moscow church, began Monday.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina were all arrested in March and charged with hooliganism and insulting the feelings of Orthodox Christians.
