This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7186718.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Russia summons UK envoy over row Russia summons UK envoy over row
(29 minutes later)
The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the UK ambassador amid an escalating row over the reopening of two British Council offices.The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the UK ambassador amid an escalating row over the reopening of two British Council offices.
The Council offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg reopened on Monday despite a government ban. The Council's branches reopened on Monday despite a government ban.
They were ordered to close last month in the latest move over the fatal poisoning of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko in London. Russia called the move a "provocation" and said it would not issue new visas to British Council staff.
The Russian ban does not apply to the British Council's Moscow office. The offices were ordered to shut last month in the latest clash over the fatal poisoning of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko in London.
The UK embassy in Moscow declined to comment on the schedule of the ambassador, Sir Tony Brenton. The offices which reopened are in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. The ban does not apply to the British Council's Moscow office.
UK-RUSSIA ROW Nov 2006: Alexander Litvinenko dies in LondonMay 2007: UK accuses ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi of murderJuly: Russia refuses UK request to extradite Mr LugovoiJuly: UK expels four Russian diplomatsJuly: Russia expels four British embassy staffDecember: Russia tells British Council to shut two officesJan 2008: British Council re-opens both offices class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7141708.stm">Russia's new front The UK embassy in the Russian capital declined to comment on the schedule of the ambassador, Sir Tony Brenton.
UK-RUSSIA ROW Nov 2006: Alexander Litvinenko dies in LondonMay 2007: UK accuses ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi of murderJuly: Russia refuses UK request to extradite Mr LugovoiJuly: UK expels four Russian diplomatsJuly: Russia expels four British embassy staffDecember: Russia tells British Council to shut two officesJan 2008: British Council re-opens both offices Russia's new frontUK-Russia spy war
"We never comment on the ambassador's programme," an embassy spokesperson told BBC News on Monday."We never comment on the ambassador's programme," an embassy spokesperson told BBC News on Monday.
But BBC Moscow correspondent Richard Galpin says the envoy will appear at the Russian foreign on Monday afternoon.But BBC Moscow correspondent Richard Galpin says the envoy will appear at the Russian foreign on Monday afternoon.
He says the escalating diplomatic crisis between the two countries is now coming to a head and it is not clear if either side is willing to back down.He says the escalating diplomatic crisis between the two countries is now coming to a head and it is not clear if either side is willing to back down.
'Political' row
The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, was accused of violating Russian tax rules.The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, was accused of violating Russian tax rules.
A spokesman for the Council insisted on Monday that its activities were "fully compliant with Russian and international law".A spokesman for the Council insisted on Monday that its activities were "fully compliant with Russian and international law".
"We believe we're caught up in a political matter," the spokesman told the BBC News website, adding that talks were going on through diplomatic channels in a bid to resolve the dispute."We believe we're caught up in a political matter," the spokesman told the BBC News website, adding that talks were going on through diplomatic channels in a bid to resolve the dispute.
"The British Council is a non-political organisation that engages in cultural relations and educational work in Russia with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding," the spokesman said. 'Political' row
The British Council's chief executive Martin Davidson said they would continue talking to the Russians in the hope of continuing their work.
He told the BBC: "We have to understand the issues, the problems they have with our work, but we believe [our work] is enormously valuable.
Russia has linked its action to wider British-Russian tensions
"We know ordinary Russian people believe it is of real value to them, as well of course to us here in the UK, to have that relationship with Russia."
The offices in Yekaterinburg are on the premises of the UK consulate-general.The offices in Yekaterinburg are on the premises of the UK consulate-general.
The row came on top of continuing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.The row came on top of continuing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.
The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.
When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit.When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit.
Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure.Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure.