Shroeder to Moscow

The German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, is due in Moscow today for what is being described as a private visit.

No formal talks are planned and both Mr Shroeder and President Putin say the visit is part of an important process of strengthening their personal ties.

But correspondents say the two men are expected to be talking business nonetheless with one important topic for discussion likely to be Russia's debt repayments.

Germany is owed a greater share of Russia's foreign debt than any other creditor and Russia has just announced that it is unilaterally delaying payment of the installment which it was due to make this year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service