Russia's Dmitry Medvedev offers olive branch to Britain

Dmitry Medvedev, the new Russian president, has suggested he wants a thaw in the Kremlin's relations with Britain, but only if Prime Minister Gordon Brown is also prepared to compromise. Mr Medvedev is expected to have talks next week with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the sidelines of a Group of Eight summit on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Diplomatic ties between Russia and Britain have been strainesd since the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian security agent, in London two years ago. He was poisoned with polonium-210, but Russia has refused to extradite Andrei Lugovoy, the chief suspect. "Of course, Russia is prepared to give some ground, but we expect corresponding steps from our British partners," Mr Medvedev said. "On those issues where we have differences or some kinds of problems, I believe... [read full story]