Ivanov arrives for talks

EFFORTS TO mend fractured relations between Russia and the West will accelerate today with a meeting in London between Tony Blair and Moscow's Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov.

And more bridge-building can be expected in the US this weekend when the Russian Prime Minister, Sergei Stepashin, meets Al Gore, the US Vice- President, and several major figures from industry.

After a telephone conversation yesterday between the US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and Mr Ivanov, both sides affirmed their determination "to give a new impetus to Russian-American interaction", according to Russian Foreign Ministry officials.

While the West is certain to seize on the quick thaw in relations as proof that its Kosovo strategy worked, it does not extend to all areas of the Russian government. The Foreign Ministry clearly recognises Moscow's dependency on the West, not least for loans. But, critically, senior military figures do not. Yesterday unnamed defence officials, using Russian news agencies, tried to scotch reports that Russia's relations with Nato - on hold since the Kosovo bombardment began - will soon resume.