Russian foreign minister in London for talks

LONDON – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is meeting British leaders in London Tuesday on a visit aimed at improving strained ties between the two nations.

Lavrov is holding talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague and Prime Minister David Cameron.

Lavrov said Cameron has been invited to visit Moscow, and he is expected to make his first visit to Russia later this year.

Relations have been chilly since the 2006 murder in London of dissident former Russian security agent Alexander Litvinenko. On his deathbed, he blamed then-Russian President Vladimir Putin for the poisoning.

Hague's office said the ministers would agree to upgrade a secure phone line between London and Moscow, one of several moves aimed at restoring ties.

Both men also planned to attend a whisky tasting at exclusive wine merchant Berry Bros. and Rudd, part of Britain's hopes of boosting exports.