On 12th and 13th October UK new Minister of Foreign Affairs William Hague went on his first visit to Russia. W. Hague met with his Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov as well as President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. Although W. Hagues visit to Russia was seen with great expectations and as possible “Restart” for British-Russian relations, in the eyes of Russian media these expectations weren’t met. UK`s Ministers of Foreign Affairs visit is labelled as an introductory visit, that showed there will be no changes in relations between UK and Russia in close time, as W. Hague continued to address same questions that eroded relations between two states such as claims that Andrei Lugovoi – accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko – should be extradited and tried in the UK.

13th October, Novaya Politika,
http://novopol.ru/–perezagruzka-otkladyivaetsya-text91229.html
Ria Novosti,
http://rian.ru/trend/heig_visits_moscow_13102010/

In UK`s mass media W. Hagues visit to Moscow was described not as “Restart” (for what Russia was hoping for) but as a step for improving relations between both countries. Also D. Cameron`s meeting with Russian President in G8 summit in Canada showed some improvement in UK – Russia relations. Russian intention to improve relations with UK also was shown by W. Hague`s meeting with Russian President. Despite Russian willingness for improved relations, Hague still addressed issue of Litvinenko`s murder and repeated British position about need to trial Andrei Lugovoi in UK.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/13/william-hague-lugovoi-litvinenko-russia

D. Medvedev`s willingness to meet with British Minister of Foreign Affairs (a position much lower than Medvedev`s) showed Russia`s intentions to improve relations that have been overshadowed by restriction of British Council operation in Russia and Alexander Litvinenko`s murder by former officer of FSB. For Russia these relations are important as Britain remains one of the key countries in EU and one of the strongest NATO countries so improvement of bilateral relations for Russia means also improvement of Russian – EU and Russian-NATO relations.