Russia hopes Cameron’s Moscow visit will end Litvinenko row friction

David Cameron will come under pressure to draw a line under the Litvinenko murder and restore links with Russian security services when he visits the country next week.

The British Government’s refusal to co-operate and share intelligence since the 2006 scandal is harming counter-terrorism efforts, according to Moscow’s ambassador in London.

Alexander Yakovenko also warned that friction over Libya had poisoned prospects of the UN Security Council acting over repression in Syria.

Mr Cameron will be the first prime minister since Tony Blair six years ago to visit the Russian capital.

Although he is going at the invitation of President Dmitri Medvedev, he will also hold bridge-building talks with Vladimir Putin, who could return to the top job next year.

There have been no high-level contacts with Mr Putin for four years after relations between the two countries nosedived.

Mr Yakovenko said the situation had gradually improved since the coalition came to power.

“We are waiting for a decision from the British side on re-establishing full co-operation with all the Russian law-enforcement bodies and special services,” he said.

Mr Yakovenko delivered a tough message over British demands for the extradition of ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoy, who is suspected of using radioactive material to kill dissident Alexander Litvinenko in London.