Britain, Russia Urge Better Relations

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) shows the way to his British counterpart William Hague as they meet in Moscow

The British and Russian foreign ministers met in Moscow on October 13 to call for better relations between their two countries after years of disputes.

On the eve of his visit to Moscow, British Foreign Secretary William Hague acknowledged relations with Russia have been strained but said "we always continue to discuss those [differences]."

"But we should be able to acknowledge where differences remain and apply our mind to them patiently through dialogue and through diplomacy."

Hague was speaking after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Ties between Russia and Britain fell to a post-Cold War low after the 2006 murder in London of former Russian agent Aleksandr Litvinenko and Russia's refusal to extradite one of the leading suspects, Andrei Lugovoi, to stand trial in Britain.

Both Hague and Lavrov indicated that they had discussed the Litvinenko case but that no breakthrough over the matter was to be expected soon.

Earlier on October 13, Hague also met with President Dmitry Medvedev.

compiled from agency reports