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Russia axes London art exhibition Russia axes London art exhibition
(10 minutes later)
Russian authorities have called off a major London exhibition of French and Russian art because Britain had failed to guarantee the paintings' return.Russian authorities have called off a major London exhibition of French and Russian art because Britain had failed to guarantee the paintings' return.
Russia's culture agency told the British government its reassurances were "impossible to accept".Russia's culture agency told the British government its reassurances were "impossible to accept".
From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings had been due to open at the Royal Academy of Arts in January.From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings had been due to open at the Royal Academy of Arts in January.
Some of the art was taken from private collections after the 1917 revolution, leading to fears of seizure.Some of the art was taken from private collections after the 1917 revolution, leading to fears of seizure.
Political problems
The British government said it had done all it can to reassure the Russian authorities, including sending a personal letter from the culture secretary, James Purnell.
"The government has done everything possible to facilitate the exhibition going ahead, including full assurances that the works would be protected from seizure," his department said.
However, some think the decision indicates political problems between the two countries following the dispute over the Alexander Litvinenko murder case.
It eventually led to the expulsion of diplomats on each side.
The director of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Mikhail Piontrovsky, told the BBC politics and culture should not be mixed.
"Remember that Russia and Britain regularly have these flashpoints which come and go.
"Culture should function independently and we have never suffered such a connection," he said.
"We have many projects with Britain. Political relationships change but I sincerely hope that nobody will use this for a fleeting political gesture," he added.