"We see an abnormal situation in the relations, it emerged not at our initiative, that's why we expect the reaction at our good will," the Russian foreign minister said.

The political relationship between the two countries has become increasingly strained over the last few years. The death of Alexander Litvinenko and failure to extradite Andrei Lugovoi set the tone for a tit for tat battle between the two countries which saw the British Council in Russia targeted by clampdowns and a freeze on working towards improving visa condition between both countries.

The Russian handling of the Georgian crisis in 2008 was also heavily criticised by the then Labour British Government.

A new Liberal-Conservative coalition in Britain combined with Russia having recently complied with a UN resolution banning arm's shipments to Iran and cancelling the contract to supply SU-300 missile launchers among other weaponry paves the way for a renewed, positive focus on Russo-British political relations.