Russian ambassador: Cameron visit will improve relations

Russian ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, has told the BBC that he expects the British prime minister's forthcoming visit to his country will improve relations.

It will be David Cameron's first official visit to the country.

If he holds talks with President Putin, it will be the first time a government minister or diplomat has spoken to the Russian premier since 2007.

Relations went into sharp decline following the murder in London of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.

Investigators in the UK blamed the murder on the former KGB member Andrei Lugovoi, who they want extradited.

The suspect is currently a member of the country's parliament, and denies carrying out the crime.