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Blair wants to avoid Putin 'row' Blair in 'very frank' Putin talks
(about 4 hours later)
Tony Blair does not intend to have a "stand-up row" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, when he meets him later, his official spokesman said. Tony Blair has told the BBC he had "very frank" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin but they failed to "resolve" their difference.
But he added Mr Blair does want to be "honest about the choices Russia faces" and planned to tell Mr Putin he was being "counter-productive". The pair spoke near the end of the G8 summit in Germany, on energy, missile defence systems and the murder of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Mr Putin has said Russia will target missiles at Europe if the US pushes ahead with its missile defence plans. Mr Blair said on a personal level the atmosphere between the men had been "perfectly cordial".
The two leaders plan to talk during the G8 summit in Germany on Friday. But he told reporters: "What happens now is up to him."
Mr Putin has already held a meeting on the fringes of the summit with US President George Bush. Tensions were running high ahead of the summit after Mr Putin said Russia would target missiles at Europe if the US pushes ahead with its missile defence plans.
NUCLEAR WARHEADS RussiaLand-launched: 2,146 Sea-launched: 1,392 Air-launched: 624NUCLEAR WARHEADS RussiaLand-launched: 2,146 Sea-launched: 1,392 Air-launched: 624
USLand-launched: 1,600Sea-launched: 3,168 Air-launched: 1,098USLand-launched: 1,600Sea-launched: 3,168 Air-launched: 1,098
Source: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) data 2007 Q and A: US missile defenceSource: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) data 2007 Q and A: US missile defence
He suggested that the US could use a former Soviet radar base in Azerbaijan, instead of placing missiles in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic. In a meeting with US President George Bush, Mr Putin suggested that the US could use a former Soviet radar base in Azerbaijan, instead of placing missiles in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic.
Such a compromise could prompt Russia to withdraw its threat to re-target Russian missiles at Europe, Mr Putin said.Such a compromise could prompt Russia to withdraw its threat to re-target Russian missiles at Europe, Mr Putin said.
Mr Blair is also expected to raise the issue of Russia's refusal to extradite former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in London, when he meets Mr Putin. In his meeting with Mr Blair, the Russian President talked about his country's refusal to extradite former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in London.
His spokesman said Mr Blair also wanted to raise Iran, Kosovo and energy issues with Mr Putin.
Russia has hinted that it could block United Nations' plan to grant Kosovo internationally supervised independence.
It has said that a draft UN resolution, introduced by the UK, supporting such a plan was unacceptable.
Russia also opposes tougher sanctions against Iran to force it to abandon its nuclear enrichment programme, after criticism by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Western nations.
Elsewhere at the summit, Mr Blair said "immense progress" has been made on aid to Africa by the G8.Elsewhere at the summit, Mr Blair said "immense progress" has been made on aid to Africa by the G8.
Africa 'recommitment'Africa 'recommitment'
Mr Blair said both Africa and the G8 knew they had "a long way to go and a lot to do" but the leaders of the world's richest nations had "recommitted" to an aid deal it made two years ago.Mr Blair said both Africa and the G8 knew they had "a long way to go and a lot to do" but the leaders of the world's richest nations had "recommitted" to an aid deal it made two years ago.
The deal aims to deliver £30bn to fight Aids and provide free schooling in Africa.The deal aims to deliver £30bn to fight Aids and provide free schooling in Africa.
"The important thing about what we have agreed today is that we have recommitted ourselves to all the commitments we made a couple of years ago at Gleneagles," said Mr Blair."The important thing about what we have agreed today is that we have recommitted ourselves to all the commitments we made a couple of years ago at Gleneagles," said Mr Blair.
"The important thing is we have set out how we are going to do them.""The important thing is we have set out how we are going to do them."
He added: "It's a deal between Africa and the developed world and just as we have recommitted ourselves to substantial increases in support and help, so Africa has recommitted itself to its responsibilities as part of a partnership - proper governance against corruption, proper democracy and so on."He added: "It's a deal between Africa and the developed world and just as we have recommitted ourselves to substantial increases in support and help, so Africa has recommitted itself to its responsibilities as part of a partnership - proper governance against corruption, proper democracy and so on."